For many people, getting fit seems like an impossible task. It takes time and stamina and doesn’t appear to be all that fun. However, with the right workout plan, tailored to what you can do and what you find enjoyable, getting fit and staying fit can be a lifelong hobby. Following are some tips to get into the swing of things.

If you want to get in shape, you will want to exercise on a regular basis. Instead of just exercising every once in a while, set up a regular time for you to exercise and do it every day or every other day until it becomes a habit. The more you exercise the better shape your body will be in and the better you’ll feel.

Before and after you work out, make sure that you stretch your limbs properly. Perform each stretch for at least thirty seconds. If you are unsure how to stretch, ask a licensed health professional, or consult an online website on the subject. When you stretch properly, you break up the lactic acid stored in your muscles and prevent soreness.

If you are new to fitness, start slowly. It may be tempting to push yourself beyond your limits, especially with the enthusiasm that comes with beginning a new fitness regime. Pushing yourself too quickly is the fastest way to get yourself injured, as your body is not ready to deal with the added stresses you place on it. Injuries can sideline you from your workout for weeks, so start with small and realistic goals and work up to more demanding workouts.

Following a regular fitness routine is a great way to help reduce stress. By channelling any negative energy into exercise, the body releases endorphins into your bloodstream, relieving stress, loosening tense muscles and improving your overall mood. Choose a moderate intensity fitness routine that you enjoy and exercise 3 to 5 times a week, for about 30 minutes per session.

Mix up your intake of sugars before working out. Multiple sugars are better for a workout than sticking to one type of sugar for energy. While manufactured foods usually offer one type of sugar, natural foods such as fruits and granola can give you more than one type of sugar and increase your energy output and stamina.

Before doing an exercise, especially one you’ve never done before, be sure to find out the correct form and amount of resistance you should be using. Often times, this is best checked by watching your movements in a mirror or having a friend or partner help you. Incorrect form can lead to limited results or injury.

Work out your abs without doing crunches. That’s right, all you have to do is to take a deep breath and on the exhale, simply squeeze your belly to your spine and hold it for about 10 seconds. You’ll be working your transversus abdominis muscle, which lays behind more prominent abdominal muscles but can flatten your stomach noticeably.

Be creative when starting a new fitness regimen. Rather than limiting yourself to indoor gyms or fitness facilities, consider alternative ways to engage in healthy activities. If you are not used to exercising, it is absolutely crucial that you find a workout you can enjoy. This will keep you motivated even when the going gets rough.

If you are stuck at a plateu in your strength training routine, supersets will take you to the next level. When you do supersets it involves doing two different exercises, working the same muscle group, with little rest in-between. Supersets demand more from your muscles and need to be used only sparingly.

As you grow older, it is imperative to exercise the brain, as well as your body, to keep both fit. Playing word games and memory exercises will improve the mind and stave off dementia or other memory illnesses like Alzheimer’s disease. For example, while walking, take notice of five blue objects and when you have returned home, try to recall them.

Therefore, getting and staying fit does not have to be the unreachable pinnacle in your life. It’s just a matter of building up stamina by doing something you enjoy, an activity that will get your heart rate up and that you can do at least a few times a week. A routine like that may not make you into an Olympic star, but it can give you a healthy body, keep your weight down, and make you feel good about yourself.