Staying active and getting fit are important parts of a healthy lifestyle, but for individuals living with a disability, remaining active can be difficult to achieve without settling into a routine that soon becomes stale or boring. It’s also hard sometimes to find new, fun ways to get in a workout when you have a limited range of mobility. It’s important to talk to your doctor or physical therapist before beginning any new regimen, but there are some things you can do to liven up your workout routine and have a bit of fun with it. One of the keys is to find your strengths and play them up; after that, it’s simply a matter of staying motivated.
Here are some of the best ways to stay active without limiting yourself.
Do something you love
Incorporating something you enjoy doing into a workout can make it that much easier to stay on track, so think about the best fit for you. Do you like being around water? Did you know there are all kinds of health benefits to fishing? You can also get a good workout from canoeing, or if you have the right accessibility accessories available to you, swimming is an excellent way to stay active and get fit.
Do you enjoy being outdoors and working with your hands? Perhaps gardening or landscaping would be a good way to start. These are great ways to stay active; just make sure you wear plenty of sunscreen, even on cloudy days, and take breaks often to hydrate yourself.
Try something new
Any regimen will become boring or stale if you stick to the same routine day in and day out. Change things up a little by adding new things to your workouts; for instance, one day you could go swimming, the next you might try yoga or even aerial silks. Talk to your doctor before trying anything too strenuous and never attempt a new activity without a spotter or trainer present.
Get your friends involved
Exercising is much more fun when you have a friend along, so invite some close pals to start a workout group with you that meets a few times a week, or get your family involved in your activities. When the weather is nice, you can head outside and play games or sports, take walks or hit the trails for a hike or bike ride. When things turn cold, head to the slopes for some skiing. Just make sure you have the right equipment.
Get some help from your pets
Pets are excellent motivators when it comes to getting up and moving, especially dogs who need lots of attention and exercise. If you don’t already own a pet, consider getting a service dog, who can also help you perform daily tasks and help reduce stress and anxiety.
Create your own home gym
You don’t have to join an expensive gym to get in a daily workout; create your own home gym for next to nothing by adding a stability ball, a hula hoop, some resistance bands, and a yoga mat. These items can help you change things up a little, and you can exercise in the privacy and comfort of your own home.
Remember to keep things positive and focus on your achievements rather than the things you couldn’t get done. If you haven’t been active every day before now, it might be a little rough at first; you might experience some aches and pains, and your mood might take a hit when you don’t see immediate results. Keep in mind that anything worth doing takes a little time and patience, and be easy on yourself.