Getting in shape and starting your healthier lifestyle journey is one of the most common New Year’s resolutions. We’ve all been there! To us, ‘getting in shape’ shouldn’t be just about your weight, but from a holistic approach, about your whole body being healthier. We want you to create and maintain healthy habits that end up being part of your daily routine rather than obsessing with the scale and spending 2h at the gym. We put together a series of tips and a step-by-step on how to start your workout routine and how CBD can help you achieve your goals.
Ok, the reality is that it can be hard to start and stay motivated. But we promise you that if you follow these tips it’s going to be so much easier! (and you’ll love it!)
Know your start point
First things first. Before you start even enrolling yourself at your closest gym, ask yourself these questions:
Have I been working out lately? This is one of the most important questions to have to ask yourself before starting. If you haven’t worked out in the past months or never exercised before you need to start slow. Think of a progressive routine, starting from the bottom activating your muscles with simple and basic exercises. Once you keep this routine for 2-3 weeks and you’ve gained some strength you can start adding more intensity.
What’s my goal? To start your plan you have to be specific with your goal. Is it weight loss? Improve overall health? Gain muscle mass? Your goal will determine the workout routine and your eating habits. Learn the different kinds of exercises and your options.
What type of activity do I like to do? This is going to be key to maintain your new routine. If you force yourself to do something you hate you’ll most likely end up not doing it. And, honestly, it’s going to feel like torture. Think of exercises that you’d like to try, or that you already know you enjoy. Your options are endless… yoga, dancing, weight lifting, boxing, HIIT, pilates, etc.
Pro tip: have an inspiration, someone that has the body type you like, a friend who is very healthy. Anyone that you look up to. Make them your inspiration to push yourself to do it!
Now the tips!
Make a schedule. Making a proper schedule will help you manage the time and intensity of the workouts you do. This will also help you not to feel ‘lost’ at the gym, with a scheduled and a planned routine you will know exactly what to do. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends that we do moderate aerobic exercise for at least 150 minutes a week.
Warmup. Many people forget about the warm-up or thing that’s not important. Warming up helps your body and muscles prepare for the workout ahead. Not only that, but also helps with proper form, flexibility, and it also reduces soreness.
Hydration. Our body is made mostly of water. When you’re exercising, you’ll lose water through sweat. Not replacing the water may lead to dehydration so staying hydrated after every workout is very important.
Cool down. It is important to cool down just as it is to warm up. Do it for at least 5 minutes after every workout to bring your body back to its normal state. It will also help lessen the intensity and duration of muscle soreness.
Mix it up. Continuing the same workout for months will make your body plateau. Don’t be afraid to mix things up, include new workout routines, new diet plans, etc. to keep things interesting.
Listen to your body. If you’re getting great results, praise yourself and continue. If you’re feeling pain or discomfort, stop for a while then continue again. Continuing an exercise through pain is not advisable since it can lead to injuries.
How can CBD help you get the body you set to achieve?
CBD or Cannabidiol is a major cannabinoid found in hemp. According to several studies, it has many potential health benefits. CBD may also help you to get started with your new healthier version of yourself. It is high in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which may alleviate stress and anxiety, improve your mood and sleep which translates to a faster recovery. It might also reduce muscle soreness helping you stay motivated for the next workout.
There are many delivery methods, for sore muscles, it’s suggested to combine a topical and oral product. The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) receptors are also found in the skin. Applying a pain CBD infused gel or cream may reduce the local inflammation in a specific muscle group. Another great option is a warm bath adding a CBD bath bomb. Trust us, this will become your favorite Friday night plan! Tinctures and capsules may help from inside out helping regulate your body functions including sleep cycle and appetite.
Remember, if it was easy everyone will do it. Accomplishing your goals might not be easy at first, it takes time, consistency, and the right mindset. Trust the process and listen to your body! We’re sure you’ll make it happen.