From eating healthy meals to practicing good oral hygiene, it is essential to develop good habits while you are still young.
Why?
First, the earlier you pick up a good habit, the more likely you will adhere to it when you get old. By laying the groundwork today, you will be able to build strong foundations for success later in life.
Second, habits, whether good or bad, are difficult to break when you get old. This is because every time you perform a particular habit, your brain is rewarded with the release of dopamine.
Why You Should Start Exercising Now
Whether you are planning to enter the medical field or you have aspirations to become a model, it is crucial for you to start exercising now.
Developing fitness is not just for athletes or teens who want to get discovered as models. Picking up the habit of exercising regularly will translate to heaps of benefits today and when you grow old.
These include:
· Weight Management
With the combination of a sensible diet and adequate rest, regular exercise allows you to lose and keep off excess weight. This ensures that you are well within your normal weight range.
· Muscle Development
As you engage in regular exercise, you develop stronger muscles. And the stronger your muscles are, the more calories you burn, even while at rest.
· Stronger Bones
Even moderate weight-bearing exercise like walking and running are sufficient to develop bone mass and health.
· Healthier Skin
Exercising improves skin health in two ways. First, it aids in the removal of toxins through the skin. Second, it helps improve blood circulation, allowing oxygen to reach the skin, giving it a nice glow.
· Reduced Stress
Between your studies, home life, and social life, you can be subjected to stress. By exercising regularly, you can minimize the production of stress hormones in your body. Exercise also stimulates the production of hormones that can enhance your mood.
· Sharper Brain
Exercising facilitates the optimal flow of blood to different organs, including your brain. And the more blood and nutrients flow into your brain, the sharper it becomes.
How Much Exercise Do Teens Need?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) news story, kids aged between five and 17 should engage in physical activities for about an hour daily. This amount is more than enough to provide you with the benefits associated with exercise.
WHO also recommends that teens engage in both aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities.
Getting Started
For teens, exercising does not necessarily mean joining a gym. Simple activities, like walking to and from the school, walking the dog, playing sports, or riding a bike are often sufficient to provide you with benefits.
The critical thing to remember is to accumulate an hour's worth of physical activity every other day. Find something that you enjoy and you will be more likely to develop the habit of moving and exercising.
Apart from these, you can engage in other activities that count as exercise.
For example, playing sports is an excellent way to exercise. Whether you are playing a pickup game of basketball with your pals, swimming in the community swimming pool, or even brisk walking around the neighborhood, you can combine exercise with something enjoyable.
Resistance training, on the other hand, focuses more on the development and strengthening of your bones and muscles. These exercises include lifting weights and bodyweight exercises like pushups and air squats. You can perform these exercises two to three times a week, with a day's rest in between.
Things To Avoid
Generally speaking, exercise is beneficial for teens. However, there are some things that you should avoid.
The first thing you should probably avoid is powerlifting and competitive bodybuilding. Unless you have a coach available to teach proper form and guide, it is best to avoid these exercises. These exercises are challenging to execute with proper form and can leave you vulnerable to injuries.
Another thing that you should avoid is overtraining. It might feel good to see noticeable changes in your body. However, your body also needs enough time to rest and recover. Too much exercise can lead to injuries and set back your gains.
Finally, do not set unrealistic goals. Over time, you will see changes in your body, but progress cannot be rushed. Set a realistic goal for yourself and work toward that goal, slowly but steadily.
Beyond Exercise With Frugal Fitness
Exercise is just one of the main building blocks of building a healthy mind and body. Remember to eat and hydrate well, and set aside enough time to relax, rest, and recover.
Soon, as teenagers and young adults develop the habit of exercising, fit teens will see noticeable changes in their bodies. MyFrugalFitness.com is here to help youths and teens get in better shape and keep that level of fitness throughout their lives!
Adam Jacobs is the Managing Director of Bubblegum Casting, the longest running PR agency specializing in babies, children and teen talent in Australia. Bubblegum Casting works with some of Australia's biggest brands, media properties and agencies to secure talented children to work in Television, Film and Modelling roles.
