6 tips to get moving

By Tina Vande Guchte, CMES, CPT, Holland Hospital

Between streaming TV and the limitless fast-food options, the temptations to indulge are vast. While it’s not surprising our lifestyle choices impact our overall wellness, did you know that healthy living can prevent or even reverse as much as 80% of chronic disease?

One critical part of staying healthy for life is staying physically active. For couch potatoes or those who simply haven’t worked out in a while, here are six tips to get you moving. 

Start small. Because any and all movement makes a difference, aim to take a walk around your block every evening.

Grab a friend. Instead of exercising solo, sign up for a group fitness class, walk with co-workers or partner with a personal trainer or medical exercise specialist. 

Break it up. If your schedule is packed or you can’t get in 30 minutes of exercise all at once, break your daily workout into three 10-minute sessions.

Make it fun. Find an activity you enjoy — whether it’s dancing, swimming or body pumping — and mix up your activities to keep things fresh. 

Cut yourself some slack. Stay positive, even if you skip the gym for a week. Every day can be a fresh start if you find your “why” and focus on possibilities.

Rest up. Allow your body to recover between exercise sessions. If you experience pain, shortness of breath, dizziness or nausea during exercise, stop.

From lowering your risk of heart disease to helping you lose weight to brightening your spirits, working out works for your long-term health. 

As part of our Healthy Life Programs, Holland Hospital offers a wide range of fitness and nutrition classes, as well as a certified medical exercise specialist who can provide one-on-one attention, a safe and effective exercise plan, and continued support for making rewarding lifestyle changes. 

As Holland Hospital’s certified medical exercise specialist, wellness coach, sleep health coach and part of Holland Hospital’s Lifestyle Medicine team, I help set Holland Hospital Healthy Life Programs’ education and training apart.

You can learn more about our programs at hollandhospital.org/healthylifeprograms.