4 Workout Tips to Put Some Spring in Your Step

As the season of new creation and life begins, it’s time to put some “spring in our step” towards health and fitness.  And as the weather starts to change once again, let’s make sure your workout is right for the season approaching.  Here are my top 4 tips for your springtime workout.

1. Set a Schedule… But Be Realistic
   If you want to be successful set a schedule.  We all have busy schedules which can mean that our workout can’t always be at the same time every day.  The best way to deal with this is to plan your workouts a week in advance and stick to that schedule.   Post your exercise plan in places you’ll look frequently, like the calendar app on your smartphone or at your desk at work.  Better your chances of sticking to your schedule by making it a workout for two!  Schedule each workout with a family member, friend or spouse. Accountability can keep that schedule successful.
2. Protect Your Skin
   Now that spring is in the air, you’ll be heading outside more often in the fresh air. This means more sunshine, but it also means that your skin is exposed to harmful UV rays. Rub non-chemical, organic sunscreen lotion with at least an SPF of 30 over all exposed areas of your body. Don’t forget easy-to-miss areas like behind your ears, the back of your neck and the crease near your underarms.  Especially look for lotions that don’t contain Oxybenzone that contain harsh chemicals that can cause skin allergies and mimic hormones or parabens.  Look for mineral based sunscreens that contains micronized zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide.
3. Stretch Out
   The best way to prevent injury is to stretch before and after your workouts. Warm up with 10 minutes of light outdoor cardio exercises, then do dynamic stretching (a.k.a ballistic stretching)—as in, stretching while moving. This includes lunges, touching your toes and walking your hands forward, swinging your legs while standing and twisting from side to side. After your workout, complete “static” stretches (‘touch and hold’ stretches).
4. Step Off the Scale
   Muscle weighs more than fat, so although you may look more toned, there’s a chance you might not be shedding pounds at the rate you’d expect. To get an accurate measure of your progress, use a measuring tape once every two weeks to see where you’re trimming inches from your waist, hips, and other target areas.  We are working out for health, not just for the way we look.

What’s your favorite springtime wellness routine? Maybe it’s a “spring cleaning” type of routine. What does that look like for you? Post it below. Let’s talk about it. 🙂