Spring Clean Your Fitness Routine: Four Areas to Target for a Refresh
Spring is in the air, and while many of us are decluttering closets and deep-cleaning our homes, there's another space where we could refresh - our wellness routines!
Just like cleaning out cobwebs and reorganizing drawers makes our spaces feel lighter and brighter, a little "spring cleaning" in the health department can help you feel rejuvenated and ready to take on new goals. And, as the days grow longer and temperatures warm, it's easier to get motivated to shake off winter sluggishness and revitalize your routine.
"Spring is a natural season of renewal, making this a great time to refresh your wellness routine," says Dr. Jeff Mullins, primary care physician at Methodist Healthcare. "By making small, intentional adjustments to your eating habits, activity level and daily schedule, you can set yourself up for long-term success and a healthier lifestyle. Talk to your health care provider for more information that's personalized to you."
Four Key Areas to Focus on for a Spring Fitness Refresh
Whether you're looking to shake up your workout, refine your nutrition or streamline your schedule, now is the perfect time for a wellness reset—and Healthier 901 recommends focusing your spring refresh on four key areas: diet, exercise, schedule and environment. Small but meaningful changes across each of these "zones" can help you break through fitness plateaus, stay motivated and make healthy habits feel fresh again:
1. Freshen Up Your Diet
Spring brings abundant fresh produce, making it easier (and more affordable) to add nutrient-rich fruits and veggies into your diet. Set a goal to eat more locally grown produce while cutting back on processed foods. Other nutrition refresh tips include:
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Hydrate smartly. Warmer temperatures mean drinking plenty of water throughout the day is even more important.
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Boost your fiber intake. Add more fiber-rich foods like beans, lentils and whole grains to improve digestion and keep you feeling full longer.
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Plan ahead. Set yourself up for success by prepping healthy meals and keeping nutritious snacks—like a banana or a granola bar—on hand.
2. Try New Forms of Movement
If your winter workout routine feels stale, mix it up! Variety keeps exercise exciting, whether it's Pilates, strength training or an outdoor boot camp. Many gyms and studios offer seasonal programs, making spring an ideal time to experiment with activities like dance cardio, body weights or kickboxing. You can also:
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Step it up outside. Rainy days aside, spring weather is perfect for outdoor workouts like jogging, hiking, yoga in the park, and gardening. As a huge added benefit, exercising in fresh air boosts our mood and motivation.
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Strengthen your routine. Resistance training can help build muscle and enhance our metabolism—so consider swapping a HIIT session for some weightlifting.
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Build a balanced schedule. Plan weekly workouts, including rest and recovery days, to maintain consistency and avoid burnout.
3. Give Your Schedule a Reset
The season of renewal is an excellent time to reassess old routines and set new fitness goals, whether you're looking to improve flexibility, increase strength or run your first 5K. Consider tracking your progress with a fitness journal or app to stay motivated and celebrate small victories. Not sure where to start? We suggest you:
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Wake up with purpose. Establish a morning routine that includes time for reflection, movement or meditation to start your day on a positive note.
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Set new goals. Whether aiming for a daily step count, improving endurance or simply having more energy, set clear, actionable goals with achievable milestones to keep yourself motivated and focused.
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Create accountability. If motivation has been a challenge, teaming up with a workout partner can add accountability and fun to your routine. Join a local running group, try a new fitness class with a friend or schedule regular walks with a coworker.
4. Refresh Your Workout Rhythms
Sometimes, even a simple update to your workout gear can be a great motivator. If you haven't updated your gear in a while, consider investing in breathable clothing, supportive footwear or new fitness accessories like resistance bands or a yoga mat. Other ideas to refresh your fitness environment include:
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Get organized. Whether you exercise at home or hit the gym, an organized space (gym bag, etc.) makes workouts more effective and enjoyable.
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Give your gear a deep clean. Gym clothes can hold onto sweat and odors—laundry stripping is a great way to refresh them and extend their life.
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Make it fun. Fitness should be something you look forward to, not a chore! Whether dancing, paddleboarding or playing outside with your family, movement should feel good. The more you enjoy your workouts, the more likely you are to stick with them, and the more fun you'll have along the way.
Join the Movement and Spring into a Healthier You!
The best part of a fitness refresh? You don't have to do it alone! Healthier 901 is here to help with free resources like our healthy cooking recipes, on-demand workouts, habit trackers, community step challenges and more. Take this opportunity to rejuvenate your wellness journey and make the most of the energy that spring brings! Join the movement today at www.healthier901.com and become part of our supportive community.