The first thing I’ve improved is my workout program and the workouts I perform. I’ve started exercising every day, and it’s been fantastic for both my body and mind. Life can be stressful at times, and a good workout can help reduce that stress. When I’m feeling particularly emotional, I determine that shredding on the tread is the greatest way to de-stress (and by that I mean run it off on the treadmill). Other times, I feel the need to concentrate my thoughts on the music and action, therefore I choose to dance. I don’t overdo it by overstressing my body in any way I choose to exercise. So, allow me to clarify.

It’s beneficial to exercise your body, but don’t overwork yourself. The crucial thing is to know when your body is fatigued and your muscles are burning during and after an exercise, as opposed to when your body is stressed and hurting. This is the most difficult element for me to learn, but I’ve made significant progress.

I’m the type of person who would push their bodies to their limits, therefore it took me a long time to figure out how to listen to my body when I was overworking myself. It’s different for everyone, I believe, but I’ve learned some of the indications for myself, which usually involve my muscles feeling like they’re working rather than aching. It’s easy to dismiss minor aches and pains, but it’s critical to take a break and relax. That could involve readjusting your form and posture, pausing for a minute before continuing, or switching to a different exercise that doesn’t use or stress that section of your body at all. Another clue that I’m doing too much, especially considering I enjoy doing cardio, is being out of breath and flushed. It’s good to get your heart beating and your lungs working, but I know I’m pushing myself when my face becomes red and I feel light-headed for an extended amount of time. That’s when I take a break, slow down, or completely stop. I’m much better at pacing myself these days and rarely reach that stage. Make sure whatever you’re doing to get your body moving is a workout, not stress out. Give yourself a break when you need it and be gentle with your body. It’s fine to take a break; everyone has to do so at some point.

Now it’s time to get down to business.

I perform a more rigorous workout a few times a week, usually three to five times a week depending on how I’m feeling and I have parts of my body that I work out on specific days. After my workout, I’ll do a cardio workout on the Stairmaster. Some days, I’ll take fewer breaks in between exercises to make it harder.

This is an example of one of my busier days:

Warm-Up; Warm up your entire body with jumping jacks, high knees, butt kicks, a dancing warm-up, and some light stretching.

Workout: Depending on what day it is I do my weight training workout, finish up with an abdominal workout and a 20 minute Stairmaster session.

Cool Down: I finish by stretching, it’s an amazing recovery. I stretch everything out again and am able to achieve a deeper stretch because my entire body is warm and my muscles are incredibly loose. I usually extend the stretch a little further as well. Even though my body is still warm, I make sure to breathe, relax my muscles, and avoid overstretching. I also practice extra leg stretches and movements to help me obtain my splits. Then, if I feel like it, I use a foam roller to roll out the muscles in my legs and glutes.

** It’s important not to roll over your joints, as this might cause damage.**

Time required: approximately 45 minutes to an hour.

I stretch before and after every workout or activity. It’s crucial for avoiding injury, assisting muscle recovery, and simply feeling good afterward.

Now it’s time to move on to the days when you don’t have as much of a workout (2 days a week depending on how I feel).

On these simpler (active rest) days, I might go for a mile walk and take as long as I need to get there, or I might just walk for 30 minutes with an on and off incline, or I might do a 30-minute dance session instead of a longer one, or do yoga. Even if I continue to exercise on days when I feel like I need a vacation, I don’t feel exhausted or run down all day. For me, I’m more active in the morning, so I’ll do my workout then, and I’ll still feel good later instead of feeling even more worried and worn out.

Workout to relieve stress, not to add to it.

I am quite regular with my routine. I do skip an exercise on occasion, but not very frequently, which is great. But it’s also possible that I’m just being more active in other ways that day. I may have walked my dog, done a yoga class, or completed household duties such as laundry or dishes, both of which involve greater movement. So, even if I didn’t complete my gym regimen, I’m still moving my body throughout the day rather than sitting for long periods of time.

I strongly advise you to attempt to be more active, whether it’s by doing housework, going to the gym, dancing, or finding another activity you enjoy. It’s critical for our bodies to move around and expend the energy we acquire through meals on a daily basis. It’s important that we let that energy out through our muscular movement, just like we take in energy at every meal.

Working out has shown to be really good for me. It makes me feel more energized, my mind more alert and aware, and it reduces my tension and anxiety. I normally choose the exercise I’m going to do when I train on the spot. I simply do whatever I feel like doing on that particular day, whatever will make me feel the greatest and allow me to have the most fun. I hope you’re all encouraged to get exercising and find a fun hobby that motivates you to do so as well! Working out and doing exercises should be something you look forward to rather than something you dread. And I hope that this encourages you to be more aware of how hard you push yourself and when you need to rest.