Spring is the Perfect Time to Start Exercising

By Donna Stark

Have you started getting the fliers from your child's school reminding you to save the date for all of the year-end activities? Have you caught sight of those annoying weeds popping through the ground? Have you noticed anything significant about the weather lately? Well, there's a reason for all of that, so grab your lemon spritzer and head outdoors because spring is finally here! But before you start lounging in the rays of the sun for too long, keep one thing in mind. If you want to avoid a "summer fitness emergency," you may want to start thinking about exercising now.

Get Your Summer Body Ready

Spring is here and summer is right around the corner which means we can't hide under our old college sweatpants and oversized sweatshirts anymore. We also can't cover up those extra pounds we put on because, unlike winter, this is the season when we start to shed our layers of clothes. So go ahead and finish that lemon spritzer, then get moving! Here are some suggestions.

• Enjoy the perfect weather - It's easy to stay on track with your health and fitness goals if you love the great outdoors because spring is the perfect time to exercise outside! Put down your phone and get some fresh air by walking, hiking, biking, or jogging. You know you need to do it, so start working on the summer body now.
• Do something out of the ordinary - There is no better way to make sure you get your workout in than by committing to something that you need to be in shape for, and a fitness run is the perfect choice! Spring is the unofficial season of 5Ks, so grab a friend or your spouse, sign up, and start training like a beast!
• Join with others - Turning exercise into a social event is a great way to stay motivated, have fun, and maintain your overall health and wellness. So think about what you like to do and find a group you can join. Do you like hiking? Join a Saturday morning hiking group. Miss the good old days when you played softball in college? Join an adult sports league. The options are endless, and if there are no options where you live, create your own!

Plan on Not Using Your Emergency Plan

It's always good to have a backup emergency plan, but you definitely don't want to have one when it comes to getting your body summertime-ready. That's because nobody likes to crash diet or spend their entire weekends in the gym, so start now! It's easy to find success with your goals when you allow yourself an adequate amount of time to reach them, and with the amazing warm weather that comes with spring, you may even find yourself wanting to work out even more!

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Vancouver, Wash.