by Amanda Green
Have you considered getting into shape, but feel like working out vigorously is too hard on your body? As you get older, you may not feel as flexible as you did in your younger days. If you’ve found yourself with some extra pounds, sometimes weight loss isn’t enough for regaining flexibility in your joints—you really have to work at it. There are many ways that you can regain more flexibility in your joints as the years go by. Here are just a few healthier ways that you might be able to improve your overall movement.
Stretching Exercises
No matter what you do to help improve your health, whether diet, exercise or both, maintaining your posture and movement is vital. This starts with stretching your muscles and joints before engaging in any type of aerobic or physical activity at Pure Barre, or a fitness center in your own hometown. Proper stretching can help:
- Improve your overall range of motion.
- Increase blood flow.
- Prevent the possible incurrence of injury.
- Enable muscles to work properly and heal accordingly.
As blood flow is improved to these areas, muscles can be smoothed out and less likely to cramp up as you’re running or engaging in your workout. Another way to stretch and improve your flexibility is through yoga. Mindfulness of body and spirit in addition to bending and stretching can help open up tissue, calm your mind and manage stress. Yoga is a great way to see how far you can stretch your muscles and practice techniques for making breathing easier as well.
Removing Harmful Toxins
To reach a point of optimal flexibility, you need to stretch and flex throughout the day repeatedly without overdoing it. But there are other ways that you can make it easier on your body. This starts with removing toxins from your body. There are several different ways to do this. One way is through a heating method. This starts with raising body temperature through a hot tub or with a visit in a sauna. Sweat is eliminated through the pores and helps boost your immune system. Another way is through a foot detox. While somewhat controversial, a food detox uses minerals to pull toxins out of your feet. This may or may not help with removing toxic waste out of your body. Drinking plenty of water—at least eight 8 ounce glasses per day and flushing your system is a great way to maintain kidney health and keep you hydrated. When your veins are hydrated and your body is full of electrolytes, you’re less likely to suffer from dehydration as a result of working out.
Eating Right
Making sure that you’re eating right is important to keep your muscles healthy and strong. Eating a healthy, balanced diet rich in antioxidants and all of the food groups is beneficial to muscle health. Be sure to include a generous portion of vegetables, proteins, and grains with each meal. Build from there with a small amount of fruits and dairy. Keep your sodium and fat intake to a minimum. Don’t overeat and try not to fill up on unhealthy, sugary snacks and processed foods. If you have any dietary restrictions for high blood pressure, cholesterol or high blood sugar, be sure to talk with your doctor about the right meal plan and portion control based on your health needs.
Getting in Shape
Keeping your weight in check can also improve flexibility. Not having extra pounds around your midsection can make it easier to bend and get up from lying down. Having less fat reduces your body mass index and helps improve your lifestyle in many ways. If you’re currently overweight, now is the time to consider losing a few pounds. This starts with seeing your doctor to come up with the best plan for weight loss. If you’re cleared to exercise, your doctor will likely recommend a gradual start to working out and then increase your frequency and incorporate weights to build muscle. Making sure that your range of motion is in the proper order will help make sure you don’t pull a muscle or injure yourself accidentally.
Being consistent with your exercise and diet goals is the easiest way to improve or maintain good health and stay flexible.
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