Being active and including exercise is a key element to living a healthy lifestyle. There can be loads of reasons why you haven’t been able to include a regular exercise schedule – perhaps you don’t feel you have enough time, perhaps you’re too tired or perhaps you just feel overwhelmed by all the different types of exercises and you don’t know which one is right for you.

Sitting for long hours during the day increases your risk of metabolic and other chronic health conditions which is one of the reasons it’s so important to make sure you get enough physical activity. You should be aiming to get at least 30 minutes of exercise each day or, if you’re training for an event or trying to lose weight, then this amount might be slightly more depending on your individual goals.

To help you get your 30 minutes of exercise each day, here are some easy and effective ways to get active:

WALKING
Walking is a great way to get your body moving, blood circulating and fresh air in your lungs. If getting active is all-new to you then start slowly and gradually pick up the pace. Or, if 30 minutes all at once is unmanageable, try splitting it up and maybe take two walks of 15 minutes or three walks of 10 minutes each time.

What about taking a 15-minute walk around the block during your lunch break? Or even better, ask one of your colleagues to be your ‘walking buddy’, that way you have someone to be accountable to and to motivate you on days when you’d rather spend your lunch break in front of your computer or at the coffee shop downstairs.

CYCLING
Cycling offers the benefit of building stronger muscles as well as improving your fitness levels. It’s also a great way for people who have back or knee problems to keep active as there’s minimal impact on these joints.

Enjoying a forest cycle gets fresh air in the lungs, clears the head AND you’ll reap the rewards of a good workout. If you’re a little more adventurous then you might want to give mountain biking a try. Or, if time is a concern, why not try cycle to in to work a couple of times a week?

YOGA
The benefits of yoga on your mind and as a means to relieve stress is well known but, a good yoga session might be better for your body than you realise. Increased flexibility, muscle tone and a good core are just some of the rewards your body will enjoy.

A quick lunchtime yoga class won’t just only get your body moving, but your mind and work will thank you for it!

Other activities that offer great benefits are swimming, dancing, running and boxing.  Including a variety of different types of exercises will help keep things interesting and even better, if you can team up with a ‘buddy’ you can motivate and encourage each other.

The benefits of staying active go beyond just forming part of a healthy lifestyle, people who stay active are known to have better-sleeping patterns, improved energy levels and generally cope better with day to day stress.

Another important part of being active is making sure that you support your body with the right nutrients and stay hydrated. If you find it hard to get your body going, perhaps consider a supplement such as Xcell Carbo Active which has a unique three-phase energy release so that your energy levels remain stable during and after your workout. It’s also great if you struggle with fatigue after exercise.

If your muscles struggle to recover after exercise, consider including Xcell Re Build, the completely natural, high protein supplement helps your body rebuild right at a cellular level and with L-Glutamine, it helps speed up recovery.