FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM MAY 16, 2019 • WELLNESS • THE QUEENS COURIER 41
wellness
5 new ways to fi nd fi tness motivation
It is no secret that building up the motivation
to exercise can sometimes be more
challenging than the workout itself. But
what if you already have the tools you
need to fi nd your motivation?
It might be as easy as assembling a playlist
of your favorite songs, or fi nally repurposing
that tote bag you always mean to
bring to the grocery store to be your gym
bag. Let’s explore some new - and maybe
unexpected - ways to help unleash that
motivation.
1) Put together a dynamite
playlist
Put your favorite tunes together to
power you through a workout or download
a new podcast for a cardio session.
2) Repurpose an old bag
to be your gym bag
Having a dedicated gym bag that you
prepare the night before is a great way to
feel ready to hit the gym, while also keeping
yourself accountable.
3) Wear your workout
clothes more
While it might seem like wishful thinking,
science has shown that the clothes
we wear can impact our behavior. If you
plan to exercise in the aft ernoon, try putting
on your workout clothes right when
you wake up.
4) Keep yourself accountable
and inspired
Log your workouts in a notebook or
journal, or place inspiring sticky-notes
around the house to remind you of your
goals.
5) Treat yourself, every
once in a while
Reach a fi tness goal and want to celebrate?
A great way to honor your success
while being practical might be treating
yourself to a new workout outfi t or a snazzy
new pair of sneakers. A little something
new might just help power you to achieve
your next goal.
To take a more active role in your
health, some health plans, including
UnitedHealthcare, off er gym memberships
at no additional cost. To learn more,
visit UHCMedicarePlans.com.
Courtesy BPT
Take your workout outdoors for a fresh boost
as temperatures rise and the sun shines
of scenery. Having a buddy by your side
brighter, you might start taking your
not only off ers security, but also a boost
workouts outside more oft en. To ensure
of motivation. Together, you can work
your body’s comfort and safety, you may
toward a common goal, keep each other
need to refresh your fi tness regimen.
accountable and encourage each other to
Th ese tips can help you safely enjoy
crank up the intensity.
your summer workouts:
Time workouts for cooler periods. Avoid
Wear sweat-proof sunscreen. Protecting
exercising during the heat of the day.
your skin is a year-round endeavor, but
Instead, opt for morning or evening workouts
when it’s hot outside, you’re more likely to
and be conscious of high humidity
lose the protection of sunscreen faster. Use
levels, which can adversely aff ect your respiration
a sunscreen that is designed to withstand
and lead to overheating. It’s also a
your summer workout, whether it’s a good
good idea to acclimate to the warmer temperatures
sweaty run or laps in a refreshing pool.
by starting with a brief workout
Reapply a broad-spectrum formula with an
and gradually increasing the duration
SPF of 15 or higher regularly and be sure
over the span of a week or two.
you’re using enough. Most people need a
Wear appropriate clothes. Switching to
full ounce to cover their entire bodies.
summer attire isn’t just about wearing
Stay hydrated. In warmer weather, your
less material; you also need to pay attention
body typically sweats at a higher rate,
to the fabric you wear. Th e appropriate
causing you to lose key electrolytes, like
fi t may vary depending on your chosen
salt and potassium, that are important
Photo courtesy of Getty Images
activity, but generally, breathable fabric
to keeping your body properly hydrated.
in lighter colors is ideal.
Stay hydrated by drinking fl uids before,
Vitamin Boost, which is enhanced with
Find a workout buddy. Th ere’s power
Visit propelwater.com to learn more
during and aft er a workout. To mix up
100% of the recommended daily value of
- and safety - in numbers. Whether you
about safely hydrating to tackle warm
your hydration plan, consider choosing
vitamins B3, B5, B6, C and E and electrolytes
grab a friend, coworker or pet, try exploring
weather workouts.
a water formulated for fi tness, like Propel
to help replace what is lost in sweat.
new places to work out for a change
Courtesy Family Features
Photo via Getty Images
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