Staying fit is the first step to living healthy. So set your fitness goals and get stronger and flexible this New Year.
Photograph: Kind Courtesy Parineeti Chopra/Twitter
Apart from the very obvious New Year resolution to lose weight, there are many others that could serve you well.
These goals are actually really significant for your health, fitness and overall well-being.
So which one will you pick?
Stamina
This is important for those who get tired easily.
If you feel fatigued by the end of the day, try to up your stamina levels through increasing the intensity of your cardiovascular exercise like walking, swimming, cycling, fitness classes, etc.
Your energy levels will increase, keeping your mind sharper too and your spirits up!
Strength
Being strong also contributes to lowered fatigue levels.
It helps you hold yourself up and be more physically and mentally active.
If you find yourself slumping, constantly shifting positions or simply weak, increasing your muscle strength is what you need.
Do resistance training exercises 3 to 4 days a week.
You also end up with a well toned and sculpted body.
Flexibility
Want to do a split this year? Or be able to bend your body in all sorts of ways?
Attaining a flexible body frees you up, giving you unrestricted movement and a feeling of being opened up.
Apart from feeling great, it protects your joints from stiffness.
Coordination
If you have two left feet or find it hard to do one thing with your right side and another with your left, you need improved coordination skills.
Coordination challenges and stimulates the brain and body; and allows for multi tasking.
Sign up for dance or aerobics classes and functional training sessions.
Balance
Constantly tripping or twisting an ankle?
Improving balance gives you more control of your body and prevents injuries.
Try doing exercises on one leg at a time. For example, single leg squats or heel raises, bicep curls while standing on one leg and yoga tree pose.
And, you can further challenge your balance by working on an unstable surface like a wobble board.
Poise and grace
Want to improve your poise and grace of movement?
Learn how to control your muscles through their complete range of motion.
Strength training exercises & dance classes help build this skill.
Posture
Good posture is very important to keep the body in its correct alignment.
Not only does this make you look good and confident, but it also prevents a whole lot of skeletal issues like pain in the back, neck, shoulders, knees, hips, ankles and feet.
Get your posture analysed and do regular posture improving exercises.
Most of all, awareness is the key to keep your posture in check.
Rehabilitation
Have you suffered an injury or have chronic pain in a specific part of your body?
Devote enough time everyday to help heal it through rest and prescribed exercise and medication.
Pain when ignored can escalate and lead to multiple health problems.
