Fun ways to stay fit for life. | How to stay fit ?

Wish to remain healthier for a lifetime? The trick is to discover something you like to carry out - as well as get it done frequently.

Below are a few awesome solutions.

Previously a fitness center member but after your initial enthusiasm, your presence began to decrease? And are your golf equipment, yoga mat, boxing gloves, exercise DVDs as well as treadmill machine collecting dirt after used in that initial rush of enthusiasm?

So what’s missing?

When considering motivation, a little passion moves quite a distance, thus take action for your love of it, as well as the stay healthy outcomes might be a reward. Although the physical features about exercises such as walking, dancing and browsing are distinct, you may also discover that you’re more comfortable, more confident and have selected a number of additional good friends as you go along.

Sure, you won’t get ready for the marathon singing in a choir or pruning roses, but gardening and singing will give your self-esteem a boost, help you beat the blues — and can even dementia on hold, suggest some studies.

Here, our experts rate the health and well being aspects of seven hobbies and pastimes, plus we spend time with people who simply can’t imagine life without them.

Cycling

What it’s GOOD FOR:

Cycling is a very good cardiovascular exercise, it’s environmentally friendly and, if you use it as a form of transport, it’s economical.

Like walking, cycling is low-impact because your weight is supported by the bike. “It’s especially good for building muscle tone, particularly in your legs, backside and thighs,” says exercise physiologist Allan Bolton.

“Cycling will really firm you up, you will feel it in your legs. And like running, it is very efficient for weight loss.” Another advantage to cycling is that it can be done outdoors, in a gym spin class, or at home on a stationary bike. “If you have never been on a bike, stationary bikes are a great way to build your confidence,” says Daren.

He advises those wanting to ride on the road to stick to bike paths or parks to begin with, and to ride outside peak traffic periods. An avid cyclist himself, Daren recommends riding in a small group and getting fitted with a bike that suits your height and experience.

A helmet is a must, especially for road riding. To get the best health benefits from cycling, around 30 minutes of moderate intensity most days of the week is recommended.

UNEXPECTED BENEFITS:

Cycling is also very motivating, as you set goals and achieve them, which can have a positive impact in other areas of your life.

Tina Tang, group general manager at a real estate company, finds cycling is essential for keeping her physically fit and mentally focused. “In the corporate world, cycling has become the new golf; and it’s easy to see why — it’s a great way to clear your head and beat stress.”

Dancing

What it's GOOD FOR:

Depending on the style and intensity, dancing is great for cardio fitness, fat burning and improving balance and muscle tone. It also improves rhythm and is a great way to meet people and make new friends, especially with the popularity of salsa clubs and Latin dance classes springing up all over the place. There’s a wide range to choose from: Ballroom waltzes, salsa, funk, hip hop, belly dancing and ballet. Many studios and dance schools offer more than one style, so you can try as many as you like. Most dance schools have classes catering from beginners through to the advanced levels. “If you do one or two classes a week, dancing is a great workout, especially jazz, hip hop and funk, because you are constantly moving,” says Ramon Doringo, director of dance classes at the Sydney Dance Company, in Australia. Ramon explains that most classes involve a warm up, as well as basic fitness exercises such as sit-ups and push-ups, which work on core (your lower abdominal muscles and back) and upper-body strength.

“Students learn a series of movements, which slowly build up into a routine, and once you get it, we up the tempo,” adds Ramon.

UNEXPECTED BENEFITS:

According to Ramon, apart from the fitness benefits, dancing is also great for boosting confidence and improving posture. “Dancing makes you much more aware of your body,” he says. “It stimulates the production of feel-goad endorphins, which helps lower your stress.” Another benefit of dancing is increasing sexual confidence as body confidence and awareness grows. “You are less inhibited when you dance,” Ramon says. So go ahead and shake a leg — it may add much-needed sizzle to your real life too!