Getting Fit in 2010
A new year and a new decade is upon us, and chances are that a large number of people made resolutions when the clock struck midnight in hopes of making this year just a little better than last. Some may have been related to work, others may have been about love, but most were probably focused on getting healthy. At the beginning of every year, millions of people say they are going to live a healthier life and get fit, but they often lose motivation since they don’t know where to start. Luckily there are plenty of simple options available on the market to help you get fit in 2010.
The Wii Fit
Whether you own a Wii or not, chances are that you have heard of the Wii Fit and the great success that it’s users are enjoying. With the new style of active gaming that the Wii has created, you can literally play your way into shape in a number of different ways. The Wii Fit platform is a fully interactive game that will help you monitor your progress as you work to achieve your weight loss goals, reach a healthy bmi and increase your balance. It offers a variety of cardio workouts including hula hooping, jogging, step aerobics and even boxing. There are also strength training and yoga exercises to help you warm up before your work or wind down after a stressful day.
The balance board that comes with the Wii Fit can also be used to make other games, like the popular boxing remake Punch-Out, more interactive and physically challenging.
Getting Toned
If gaming your way into shape doesn’t interest you, there are plenty of other inexpensive and highly portable pieces of exercise equipment you can use to lose weight and tone your body in 2010. Yoga and Pilates both provide great ways to tone and sculpt your muscles from the privacy of your own home without expensive gym memberships or heavy duty equipment. Picking up a pilates ball or ring, along with a yoga mat, is a great way to get the most out of your workout and reach your goals without breaking the bank. If you are new to toning and balance exercises, grabbing a beginner DVD for one or both of these body toning workout genres will help keep you on track all year long.
Lose Weight with Cardio
The real key to achieving weight loss success and really trimming down is pairing a healthy diet with regular cardio workouts. If you just shuddered at the idea of running or jogging 30 minutes a day in the crazy weather that 2010 seems to be ushering in, there are plenty of ways to raise your heart rate and lower your calories, without leaving your home. One popular indoor cardio workout is step aerobics. You can pick up an aerobic step and a workout DVD for under $100 which is a minor investment when compared to a gym membership. If step aerobics don’t hold your interest, a tae bo or kick boxing workout DVD will give you the same great cardio workout without the extra equipment.
Always remember to take it slow when you first start a new workout routine. Stretch and warm up your body and muscles with some yoga before doing your cardio, and then wind down with a few pilates exercises afterward. If you jump into a full workout too quickly you can risk serious muscle injury so take it one step at a time. With a bit of motivation and a few small workout tools you will find that keeping your resolutions and getting in shape will be a breeze in 2010.