Courtesy of Hope Zvara, CEO of Mother Trucker Yoga and yoga, movement and lifestyle expert:
Taking better care of your heart is critical to maintaining an active lifestyle, one our body can willingly participate in. Getting your heart rate up doesn’t take much and has hugely beneficial and long-lasting effects on your overall health and well-being.
Benefits can include:
- Better oxygenated muscles
- Improved metabolism
- Better blood flow
- Boost in energy
But there may not always be a place to walk. If you're not at a TA, Petro or TA Express truck stop with a designated walking trail marked out for you, try this simple exercise using just the step on your truck.
Time yourself for a minute and work to step up and down off the step of your truck at a consistent pace. Rather than focusing on superhero speeds in the beginning, try to create a pace and stick to it. Notice when you get that slightly breathy point in the movement. Reaching that peak is ideal to really boost the benefits of a heart focused exercise like this one.
Try to do this at least once a day, and work your way up to three times a day. Remember consistency counts for more than doing something for two weeks then dropping off to the wayside.
Quick Fitness Tip:
- Engage your glutes when you step up.
- Use the hand bar if needed.
- Try not to lean forward.
- Focus on a consistent pace.
Remember it’s about one small change incorporated into your day consistently over time so you can feel better, wherever you are.