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Patrick Collinson gives his advice on how to buy a property, and hopefully save some money along the way. He takes you through the process - from working out which are the best places to look for a property to negotiating a favourable price - and lists some things to remember

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Patrick Collinson gives his advice on how to buy a property, and hopefully save some money along the way.

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NYC Local Legends: Angela Hunte

There's no better way to see New York City than through the eyes of a local. In our NYC Local Legends video series, notable New Yorkers share their perspectives on some of the five boroughs' most vibrant and culturally rich neighborhoods. In this episode, Brooklyn native Angela Hunte takes us around Flatbush, highlighting the culture through food, music, carnival and more.

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Experience the five boroughs of New York City with NYC Tourism. Find out what to do, where to go, where to stay, and what to eat in NYC from NYC's official guide.

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How to Live a Healthy Lifestyle: 17 Tips from Professionals

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The ultimate guide to improving your physical and mental well-beingLiving a healthy lifestyle is all about choosing to make healthy choices each day. Adding more nutritious foods to your diet, making an effort to exercise throughout the…

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GetEducated | Review, Rate, Rank & Compare Online Colleges & Degrees | GetEducated

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A bachelor's degree is a four-year undergraduate degree. Historically, the term "college degree" meant a bachelor's or traditional four-year degree.

It typically takes four years of full-time study to complete your bachelor's degree-encompassing 120 semester credits or around 40 college courses. If your college uses a quarter system rather than a semester system, you'll need to complete a minimum of 180 quarter credits to earn an accredited bachelor's degree.

A bachelor's is a post-secondary undergraduate degree. Historically, the term "college degree" meant a bachelor's or traditional four-year degree. Bachelor degrees are also sometimes called baccalaureate degrees. Regionally accredited liberal arts colleges award most of the bachelor degrees in the United States.

Liberal arts classes are required for all types of bachelor degrees. In most cases, more than half of a bachelor's degree consists of general education or liberal arts courses in areas such as English, critical thinking, psychology, history and mathematics.

Typically only 30 to 36 credits-10 to 12 courses-will be in your major area of study.

The bachelor's degree remains the standard for entry into many professional careers. Getting a bachelor's degree can be the ticket to a more promising career.

In most cases, you cannot attend a professional graduate school in law, medicine, or teacher education unless you hold a bachelor's degree. That means you will almost always need a bachelor's before enrolling in a master's program to open the door to even more career opportunities.

A bachelor's degree is the first step towards some of today's hottest professions. It can allow you to work in an occupation while you decide whether to pursue a graduate degree to become qualified for the highest level jobs in that require graduate study.

Interested in pursuing a bachelor degree? These schools offer an excellent variety of options, many of which are affordable, flexible and/or accelerated.

Western Governors University of Utah is a competency-based university, founded by the governors of 19 western states. You earn college credits by demonstrating your knowledge or "competency" in specific subject areas.

Capella University was approved by The U.S. Department of Education to offer an innovative "FlexPath" direct-assessment set of programs. Capella's FlexPath programs offer the potential to significantly reduce the cost of a degree, accelerate the time required for degree completion, and better align learning to the needs of the student.

Strayer University Online has helped working adults reach their goals. A pioneer in higher education, they offer flexible online classes-so you can pursue your passion without stopping your life.

Southern New Hampshire University is transfer-friendly, offers accelerated programs and provides a dedicated academic advisor and student services designed for the adult learner.

Quick Facts About Bachelor's Degrees

Why earn a bachelor's degree?

On average, more education means higher earnings. Most professional and technical jobs require at least a bachelor's degree to enter the field. There are many schools offering degrees in person or online, full time or part time, and programs for people with prior educational or work experience to accelerate their degree.

How long does it take?

Four years of full time study or about 120 semester credits. Returning or part time students may take longer or shorter times to complete their degrees.

How much does it cost?

Tuition and fees can range from just a couple thousand dollars to about $60,000 per year. Living expenses can vary depending on the student's circumstances.

Is it worth it?

The median increase in lifetime earnings is close to a million dollars, though not all career paths will make more money with a bachelor's degree. The majority of good jobs that pay at least $35,000 a year for people aged 25-40, go to people with a bachelor's degree.

What types of bachelor's degrees are there?

There are three main titles of bachelor's degrees: BA, BS, and BFA. There are bachelor's degree programs in a wide variety of majors, including STEM subjects, social sciences, arts, and all types of specific subjects.

How do I choose the right bachelor's degree program?

Each circumstance is different, but consider your career goals, your budget, and your preferred schedule for going to school. There are programs to meet almost any criteria, so do your research to find the best one for your situation.

Why Earn a Bachelor's Degree?

For those who want a college degree, a bachelor's degree is the most common undergraduate degree. For many jobs in today's economy, a bachelor's degree is the educational qualification necessary. For jobs where a bachelor's degree is not required, employers are still likely to prefer those with the degree over those with less education.

There are some professional pathways where people with an associate's degree will earn more than people with a bachelor's degree, but there are many more positions where having a bachelor's degree will lead to higher earning potential than lesser educational qualifications.

Today, there are many programs available to earn a bachelor's, so it is easier to find a program to fit your schedule and career goals than ever before. Part time or online programs allow students to continue to work or fulfill family commitments while pursuing a degree. Many people who entered the workforce without the bachelor's degree are now returning to complete their degree and gain access to the higher lifetime earning potential that usually accompanies a degree.

Associate vs. Bachelor Degree

While a bachelor's degree is a 4 year degree, the associate's degree takes two years to complete.

A bachelor's degree program aims to round out a student not only as a potential worker, but as a whole. It equips graduates with skills and knowledge in a particular field that will lead them to professional and middle-management jobs. Courses needed to get a bachelor's degree include general courses in the liberal arts and specific required courses in a major concentration.

Associate degrees, on the other hand, typically prepare graduates for entry-level work with the basic skills and knowledge needed in a field.

Associate's degrees can also allow students to complete general education requirements through a two-year program, for later transfer into a four-year degree. Many traditional and online colleges, universities, community colleges, and junior colleges have what are called 2+2 programs. After a student completes the first two years of their four-year bachelor degree, they have earned their associate's degree. A student can continue their education post-associate at a larger university or college through an articulation agreement. This plan can be an easy and affordable bachelor's degree journey.

How Long Does it Take?

While a traditional bachelor's degree at a brick-and-mortar college or university usually takes four years, there are many students who do not attend school straight through. Many people need to work to support themselves and their families, or go into the military before seriously considering getting a degree. Accelerated or degree completion programs can be great ways to get a degree quickly and efficiently.

Accelerated Bachelor Degree Programs

The length of time it takes to earn a bachelor's degree most likely depends upon the bachelor degree program you choose to enter, and the college in which you enroll. Options vary from full-time, traditional four-year programs to accelerated online bachelor degree programs which can be completed in just two years. Others may pursue their degree part-time, in which case, it would take longer.

If you have previously completed a number of post-secondary courses, these courses may be approved for transfer credit. This would reduce the time it takes to complete a 4 year bachelor degree. If you have an associate's degree then you may also be eligible to enroll in an accelerated, 90 credit online bachelor's degree program.

In addition, adult students may have earned prior higher education credits that can be transferred, or have completed workforce trainings and gained professional experience that also qualify for earned credits. Many higher education institutions allow students to test out of courses, through recognized assessments, including the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and DANTES Credit by Examination.

Finding a distance education program that offers year round courses may offer another alternative, if you have the time commitment and motivation.

Tip: If time is of the essence and you need a bachelor's degree as fast as possible, then you should consider attending an online school that has flexible enrollment periods. This allows for students to take their courses on their own time instead of within the confines of a traditional semester or quarter.

How Much Does it Cost?

Tuition for a bachelor's degree varies significantly from school to school. Remember that the published fees are not what most students will actually end up paying. Grants and financial aid will often significantly reduce the actual cost, so a more expensive institution may give enough aid to make the actual cost lower than that of a cheaper school that gives less aid.

The College Board published a report that stated the median tuition for a full-time student in a single year at a private, not-for-profit four-year institution is about $11,000.

Affordability factors can include, but are not limited to: public vs. private institutions, the state in which you enroll, available aid, and your status as an in-state or out-of-state residence.

Online bachelor degree programs have set rates that do not base tuition on in-state and out-of-state status. Still, these rates vary widely from school-to-school, and from program-to-program.

Financial aid tremendously affects the total cost of a bachelor's degree. For example in the same study, the College Board found that while the average tuition and fees at a public college is about $10,230, the actual net price when factoring in grants and tax credits equaled about $3,740.
Tip:

1. Be proactive in your search for the right degree program, and the right school.

2. Choose your major according to your interests and career goals, then explore cost rankings and look for the best financial options.

3. View GetEducated's list of the cheapest colleges for an online bachelor's degree and see if they offer your intended major.

Student Loan Tips

Many students borrow money in the form of student loans to help pay for their education. While an education is a great investment in your financial future, as most people will earn more money with a degree than without one, it is still important to borrow money cautiously. If you take out huge loans for your bachelor's education, you will need to pay them back while you are starting your career. This can affect your financial wellbeing for years to come.

There are two basic categories of student loans: federal student loans, with reasonable, fixed interest rates; and private student loans offered by banks and other institutions like schools or state agencies. Federal student loans are the best choice for most students, as the interest rates are fixed and the government may pay some of your interest for you in some circumstances. Private loans usually require a co-signer and often have variable interest rates, meaning that your monthly payment amounts can change. However, both types of student loans have much lower interest rates than credit cards, so shop around for a loan before you consider putting any of your education on credit cards!

Student loans are often part of the financial aid package that a school will offer to you, but that does not mean you need to take out these loans. The cost of education is such that approximately 70% of students graduate with a significant amount of student loan debt. Students who attended public colleges are the least likely to carry debt, and when they do, it is lower on average than students from other types of schools. Private non-profit colleges come next, but the highest rate of student loan debt is carried by those who attend for-profit colleges, with 88% leaving school with debt loads higher than their public or non-profit school peers.

If you decide to borrow money to fund your education, consider the possible future impacts on your life. If you don't end up finishing the degree program you enroll in, you will not be able to get the higher-paying jobs that come with the degree, but you will still need to pay back the loans. If you stay on the path to a degree, but continue to borrow every year of your study, keep track of the loan totals and what your payments will look like after you graduate.
Tip:

1. Apply for financial aid by filling out a FAFSA, the free application for federal student aid.

2. If you apply to more than one school, compare the financial aid packages to figure out what you will end up paying and/or borrowing to get your degree.

3. Don't rule out loans, but do your best to explore all your financial options in paying for school so that you will have a future with the lowest student loan debt weighing you down.

Is It Worth It?

Concerning the academic respect, a BA degree, BFA or BS are all valued equally. Depending on the kind of field into which a person is entering, the cost benefits can vary. BS degree jobs, like in the field of engineering, often pay more than their BA counterparts in Education or the Arts. Some of the highest paying jobs - like physicians and lawyers- require not only a bachelor's degree, but also additional schooling.

Does a bachelor degree guarantee steady employment? No. But it does help your chances significantly. Even when the unemployment is high, the unemployment for people with bachelor degrees is lower by at least a few percentage points.

On average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, college graduates (those with a bachelor's) make 64 percent more per week those who have earned only a high school diploma. Over a lifetime of work, between the ages of 20-60, that adds up to an average of almost a million dollars more for those with a bachelor's degree. The unemployment rate for those with a bachelor's is also about half the rate of those with a high school diploma, at 2.2% to 4.1%.

Many of the highest paid occupations for people with a bachelor's degree are in STEM fields, though there are many other occupations for those in other majors that will also pay well. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports salaries for professionals with bachelor's degrees. The median income for careers which require only a bachelor's degree for entry include:

To see the highest paying careers that require a bachelor's degree, Payscale.com has compiled a table that lists these careers in descending order. You can check to see which of the highest paying careers fall within your interests by looking at their data.

Types of Bachelor Degrees

A list of bachelor degrees and the their specific majors and concentrations would be almost infinite.

The three most popular types of bachelor degrees are:

Bachelor of Arts (BA degree)

Bachelor of Science (BS degree)

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA degree).

What is a BA Degree?

A BA degree generally requires students to take fewer concentration courses and to focus more on exploring the liberal arts. These students have a little more freedom when it comes to customizing their education to fulfill their career goals and aspirations. The most common majors include English, Art, Theatre, Communications, Modern Languages and Music.

What is a BS Degree?

The BS degree, on the other hand, is less focused on exploration and more targeted to a specific concentration. Bachelor of Science students, more often than not, focus specifically on the field of their major and tend to be more career-focused. Bachelor degrees in the medical field, for example, are more likely to be Bachelor of Science degrees.

Popular majors that make the Bachelor of Science degree list include:

What is a BFA?

The BFA is another vocational or professional degree. The goal of a BFA program is for its graduates to go on to become professionals in the creative arts world. This includes dancers, singers, actors, painters, and sculptors, just to name a few. Like the BS degree, the main difference between a BFA and a BA program is the tendency to focus more on their major concentration than on general studies.

TIP: Should you earn a second bachelor's degree? In most cases, the answer is NO. If you have a bachelor's in one area-say art history-and are trying to re-tool to work in another area, such as human resources, consider adding a certificate to your resume rather than trying to earn a second bachelor's degree. By earning a certificate you'll essentially be adding a new "major" area of study to the general education studies of your original bachelor's degree.

How to Choose the Right Bachelor's Degree Program

When to Seek a Bachelor's Degree

When You ...

Know that a bachelor degree is required for your career

Have already earned more than 60 semester college credits or hold at least one associate degree.

Know that a graduate or professional degree will be required for your career

Before applying, answer these important questions.

Does this particular degree program fulfill criteria for my intended profession?

Will my profession require licensure? Is this degree program approved for licensure?

Will this bachelor's degree transfer into a master's degree if I decide to further my educational goals in the future?

How much will it cost to obtain my degree?

Is financial aid available?

Is coursework semester-based? Year round? Accelerated?

Does online mean completely online? Or are there on-campus requirements?

How much flexibility do I need? Do I prefer asynchronous courses that I complete on my own time, or would I enjoy synchronous classes in which classes meet at set times?

Application requirements vary widely among universities. Most colleges will require that you have a high school diploma or a GED equivalency. You will most likely need to complete an application, and may need to submit additional documentation, such as official transcripts, or assessments.

If a four-year program seems daunting, consider a two-year program that will transfer into a bachelor's program.

TIP: Some careers may require a very specific type of bachelor degree. For example, if your goal is to become a public school teacher your state Board of Education will require, at minimum, a bachelor's degree in education. That degree will need to include some very specific courses. Check with your state licensing board before enrolling in any bachelor's degree program in accounting, education, nursing, counseling and engineering, in particular.

Show Me an Online Bachelor's Degree

Basically, a bachelor's degree looks like an associate degree doubled.

Below is a sample online bachelor's degree from Western Governors University so you can see the type of curriculum commonly required. Colleges will vary in their exact degree requirements. Compare colleges carefully on the courses they will require you to take to earn your bachelor's degree in any one major area.

Western Governors University
Bachelor of Science in Business Management
Full-time undergraduate students must be enrolled in at least 12 competency units (CUs) per term. WGU recognizes prior learning and experience to accelerate your degree program, and for this reason, identifies their courses in CUs; with similarities to that of traditional credit units. Below is a traditional route for individuals that enrolled in WGU with no transfer credits.

Find Your Perfect Bachelor's Degree
Related Resources
What is an Associate Degree?
What is a Master's Degree?
Should I Tell My Employer I Earned My Degree Online?

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What is a Bachelor's Degree? | Career Center | GetEducated

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A bachelor's degree is a four-year undergraduate degree. Historically, the term "college degree" meant a bachelor's or traditional four-year degree. It typically takes four years of full-time study to complete your bachelor's degree-encompassing 120 semester credits or around 40 college courses.

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How To Reprogram Your Mind (for Positive Thinking)

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Do you feel the need to be more organized and/or more productive? Do you spend your day in a frenzy of activity and then wonder why you haven't accomplished much? Then these time management tips are for you - they'll help you increase your productivity and stay cool and collected.

Time Management Tips

1) Realize that time management is a myth.

This is the first thing you have to understand about time management; no matter how organized we are, there are always only 24 hours in a day.

Time doesn't change. All we can actually manage is ourselves and what we do with the time that we have. Appreciate this. Internalize it. And move on as soon as possible to the next tip.

2) Find out where you're wasting time.

Many of us are prey to time-wasters that steal time we could be using much more productively. What are your time bandits? Do you spend too much time 'net surfing, reading email, Facebook posting, texting, or making personal calls?

In a survey by salary.com 89 percent of respondents admitted to wasting time every day at work:

31 percent waste roughly 30 minutes daily

31 percent waste roughly one hour daily

16 percent waste roughly two hours daily

6 percent waste roughly three hours daily

2 percent waste roughly four hours daily

2 percent waste five or more hours daily

Are you a time waster? Tracking Daily Activities explains how to track your activities so you can form an accurate picture of how much time you spend on various activities, the first step to effective time management.

3) Create time management goals.

Remember, the focus of time management is actually changing your behaviors, not changing time. A good place to start is by eliminating your personal time-wasters. For one week, for example, set a goal that you're not going to take personal phone calls or respond to non-work related text messages while you're working.

(See Set Specific Goals for help with goal setting.) For a fun look at behaviors that can interfere with successful time management, see my article Time Management Personality Types. Find out if you're a Fireman, an Aquarian or a Chatty Kathy!

4) Implement a time management plan.

Think of this as an extension of the third time management tip. The objective is to change your behaviors over time to achieve whatever general goal you've set for yourself, such as increasing your productivity or decreasing your stress. So you need to not only set your specific goals, but track them over time to see whether or not you're accomplishing them. See also: Top Time Tracking Software Programs and 27 Time-Saving Apps for Small Business Owners.

5) Use time management tools.

Whether it's a Day-Timer, a software program or a phone app, the first step to physically managing your time is to know where it's going now and planning how you're going to spend your time in the future. A software program such as Outlook, for instance, lets you schedule events easily and can be set to remind you of events in advance, making your time management easier.

6) Prioritize ruthlessly.

You should start each day with a session prioritizing the tasks for that day and setting your performance benchmark.

If you have 20 tasks for a given day, how many of them do you truly need to accomplish? For more on daily planning and prioritizing daily tasks, see Start the Day Right With Daily Planning.

7) Learn to delegate and/or outsource.

Delegation is one of the hardest things to learn how to do for many business owners, but no matter how small your business is, there's no need for you to be a one-person show - you need to let other people carry some of the load. Delegation in Business provides an overview of tasks you'd be better off delegating or outsourcing while Decide to Delegate provides tips for actually getting on with the job of delegating.

8) Establish routines and stick to them as much as possible.

While crises will arise, you'll be much more productive if you can follow routines most of the time.

For most people, creating and following a routine lets them get right down to the tasks of the day rather than frittering away time getting started.

9) Get in the habit of setting time limits for tasks.

For instance, reading and answering email can consume your whole day if you let it. Instead, set a limit of one hour a day for this task and stick to it. (The easiest way to do this is to assign a solid block of time to this task rather than answering email on demand.)

10) Be sure your systems are organized.

Are you wasting a lot of time looking for files on your computer? Take the time to organize a file management system. Is your filing system slowing you down? Redo it, so it's organized to the point that you can quickly lay your hands on what you need.

11) Don't waste time waiting.

From client meetings to dentist appointments, it's impossible to avoid waiting for someone or something. But you don't need to just sit there and twiddle your thumbs. Technology makes it easy to work wherever you are; your tablet or smartphone will help you stay connected. You can be reading a report, checking a spreadsheet, or planning your next marketing campaign.

Your Time Belongs to You

And here's the most important time management tip of all. You can be in control and accomplish what you want to accomplish - once you've come to grips with the time management myth and taken control of your time.

For even more time management tips, read:

Time Management Techniques for Super-Busy People

Time Management Tips for Inbound Phone Calls
How to Save Time & Get More Time Into Your Busy Life

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Power Up and Be More Productive With These Time Management Tips

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Do you feel the need to be more organized and/or more productive? Do you spend your day in a frenzy of activity and then wonder why you haven't accomplished much? Then these time management tips are for you - they'll help you increase your productivity and stay cool and collected.

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Exercising regularly is one of the best things you can do for your health.

Soon after you start exercising, you'll begin to see and feel the benefits that physical activity can have on your body and well-being.

However, working exercise into your routine takes a lot of determination, and sticking to it in the long term requires discipline.

If you're considering starting to exercise but don't know where to begin, this article is for you. Here's all you need to know about starting a routine and sticking to it.

Regular exercise has been shown to significantly improve your health ().

Its greatest benefits include helping you achieve and maintain a healthy body weight, maintain muscle mass and reduce your risk of chronic disease (, , , ).

Additionally, research has shown that exercise can lift your mood, boost your mental health, help you sleep better and even enhance your sex life (, , , ).

And that's not all - it can also help you maintain good energy levels ().

In short, exercise is powerful and can change your life.

Summary:
Exercise can improve mental function, reduce your risk of chronic disease and help you lose weight.

There are various types of exercise, including:

Aerobic: Usually the core of any fitness program, it includes periods of continuous movement. Examples include swimming, running and dancing.

Strength: Helps increase muscle power and strength. Examples include resistance training, plyometrics, weight lifting and sprinting.

Calisthenics: Basic body movements done without gym equipment and at a medium aerobic pace. Examples include lunges, sit-ups, push-ups and pull-ups.

High-intensity interval training (HIIT): Includes repetitions of short bursts of high-intensity exercise followed by low-intensity exercises or rest periods.

Boot camps: Timed-based, high-intensity circuits that combine aerobic and resistance exercises.

Balance or stability: Strengthens muscles and improves body coordination. Examples include Pilates, tai chi poses and core-strengthening exercises.

Flexibility: Aides muscle recovery, maintains range of motion and prevents injuries. Examples include yoga or individual muscle-stretch movements.

The activities above can be done individually or combined. The important thing is to do what suits you best and to have fun with it.

Summary:
Common types of exercise include aerobic, strength, calisthenics, HIIT, boot camps, flexibility and stability. You can do them individually or combined.

It's important to consider a few things before you start an exercise routine.

1. Check Your Health

It's important to consult your doctor and get a physical medical examination before starting an exercise routine.

This is particularly important for those who are not used to strenuous physical activities, as well as individuals aged 45 and over.

An early checkup can detect any health problems or conditions that could put you at risk of an injury during exercise.

It can also help you optimize your workout, making it easier for you and your personal trainer to understand your limitations and create an exercise plan tailored to your particular needs.

2. Make a Plan and Set Realistic Goals

Once you decide to start exercising regularly, try to create a plan that includes attainable steps and goals.

One way to do this is to start with a plan of easy steps to follow. Then you can continue building on it as your fitness level improves.

For example, if your goal is to finish a five-kilometer run, you can start by building a plan that includes shorter runs.

Once you are able to finish those short runs, increase the distance until you can run the whole five kilometers continuously.

Starting with small goals will not only increase your chances of success, it will also keep you motivated every step of the way.

3. Make It a Habit

Another key component of exercise success is to stick to your routine.

It seems to be easier for people to maintain an exercise routine in the long term if they make it a habit and do it regularly ().

A review of studies concluded that replacing an unhealthy behavior with a new healthy habit is a great approach to maintaining it in the long term ().

Furthermore, making a schedule or exercising at the same time every day are good ways to sustain your routine and make it last.

For example, you can make exercise a habit by planning to work out right after work every day.

Summary:
Before you start working out, get a health check-up and make a plan with realistic goals. Then, make exercise a habit by incorporating it into your daily routine.

You don't need to be a high-performance athlete or used to working out for hours to start exercising today.

These 150 minutes can be configured any way you want. For example, you can do a 30-minute workout five times a week or a 35 to 40-minute workout every other day.

However, recent studies have shown that packing this minimum requirement into one or two training sessions per week can be as beneficial as spreading the sessions throughout the week ().

Overall, it's important to start slowly and increase the intensity as you build your fitness level up.

Lastly, even though a daily amount of physical activity is needed for good health, allowing your body to rest is important too.

Not letting your body recover from the stress of exercise increases the risk of injuries, such as muscle strains and stress fractures, and can result in overtraining syndrome (OTS).

Exercising too much can also weaken your immune system and increase your risk of infection, hormonal imbalances, depressed mood and chronic fatigue (, , ).

Summary:
The minimum recommendation for exercise is at least 150 minutes per week. However, it is important to start slowly and let your body rest from time to time.

Below is an easy-to-follow, one-week exercise program that does not require equipment and will only take you 30-45 minutes a day to complete.

This program can be adjusted to your fitness level and made as challenging as you want.

Monday: 40-minute moderate-pace jog or brisk walk.

Tuesday: Rest day.

Wednesday: Walk briskly for 10 minutes. Then, complete the following circuits, resting 1 min. after each set but not between exercises. Stretch afterward.

Thursday: Rest day.

Friday: 30-minute bike ride or moderate-pace jog.

Saturday: Rest day.

Sunday: Run, jog or take a long walk for 40 minutes.

The one-week program above is just a simple sample to get you started. For more workout ideas and plans, check out the following links:

Summary:
There are a variety of exercises you can do, and the plan above is just one example to help get you started working out.

1. Stay Hydrated

Drinking fluids throughout the day is essential for maintaining healthy hydration levels.

2. Optimize Your Nutrition

Be sure to consume a balanced diet to support your fitness program.

All food groups are necessary to sustain healthy energy levels and get the most out of your workout. Carbs are particularly important, as they can fuel your muscles before exercise ().

Carbs are also important after exercise to replenish glycogen stores and assist the absorption of amino acids into your muscles during recovery ().

Additionally, protein improves muscle recovery after exercise, repairs tissue damage and builds muscle mass (, ).

Lastly, regularly consuming healthy fats has been shown to help burn body fat and preserve muscle fuel during workouts, making your energy last longer ().

Click these links for more info about pre-workout and post-workout nutrition.

3. Warm Up

It can also improve your flexibility and help reduce soreness after your workout ().

Simply start your workout with some aerobic exercises like arm swings, leg kicks and walking lunges.

Alternatively, you can warm up by doing easy movements of the exercise you are planning to do. For example, walk before you run.

4. Cool Down

Cooling down is also important because it helps your body return to its normal state.

Some cool-down ideas include light walking after aerobic exercise or stretching after resistance training.

5. Listen to Your Body

If you're not used to working out every day, be mindful of your limits.

If you feel pain or discomfort while exercising, stop and rest before continuing. Pushing through the pain is not a good idea, as it can cause injuries.

Also, remember that working out harder and faster is not necessarily better.

Taking your time to progress through your fitness program can help you maintain your routine in the long term and make the most of it.

Summary:
Be sure to stay hydrated, eat a balanced diet, warm up before exercising, cool down afterward and listen to your body.

The key to staying motivated and making exercise a habit is to have fun while doing it. This allows you to not dread having to exercise.

Like the sample exercise program shown above, you can mix up activities while keeping it fun for you.

Joining a gym or group fitness class like yoga or Pilates, hiring a personal trainer or doing team sports are also good ideas to increase motivation and enjoyment ().

Working out as a group or with a friend can also assist in maintaining accountability and motivate you to keep up your good work.

Furthermore, tracking your progress, such as logging your weight lifting or noting your running times, can help keep you motivated to improve your personal records.

Summary:
To maintain your motivation, mix up your workouts, join a gym or team sport and track your progress.

Starting a new exercise routine can be challenging. However, having real objectives can help you maintain a fitness program in the long term.

There are many different types of physical activity to choose from. Find a few that work for you and be sure to vary them occasionally.

The goal is to start slowly, build up your fitness level and let your body rest from time to time to prevent injuries.

Keeping track of your progress or joining a fitness group can help you stay motivated and achieve your goals. It's also important to eat a healthy diet and hydrate regularly.

So, what are you waiting for? Start exercising today!

Another key component of exercise success is to stick to your routine.

It seems to be easier for people to maintain an exercise routine in the long term if they make it a habit and do it regularly ().

A review of studies concluded that replacing an unhealthy behavior with a new healthy habit is a great approach to maintaining it in the long term ().

Furthermore, making a schedule or exercising at the same time every day are good ways to sustain your routine and make it last.

For example, you can make exercise a habit by planning to work out right after work every day.

Summary:
Before you start working out, get a health check-up and make a plan with realistic goals. Then, make exercise a habit by incorporating it into your daily routine.

You don't need to be a high-performance athlete or used to working out for hours to start exercising today.

These 150 minutes can be configured any way you want. For example, you can do a 30-minute workout five times a week or a 35 to 40-minute workout every other day.

However, recent studies have shown that packing this minimum requirement into one or two training sessions per week can be as beneficial as spreading the sessions throughout the week ().

Overall, it's important to start slowly and increase the intensity as you build your fitness level up.

Lastly, even though a daily amount of physical activity is needed for good health, allowing your body to rest is important too.

Not letting your body recover from the stress of exercise increases the risk of injuries, such as muscle strains and stress fractures, and can result in overtraining syndrome (OTS).

Exercising too much can also weaken your immune system and increase your risk of infection, hormonal imbalances, depressed mood and chronic fatigue (, , ).

Summary:
The minimum recommendation for exercise is at least 150 minutes per week. However, it is important to start slowly and let your body rest from time to time.

Below is an easy-to-follow, one-week exercise program that does not require equipment and will only take you 30-45 minutes a day to complete.

This program can be adjusted to your fitness level and made as challenging as you want.

Monday: 40-minute moderate-pace jog or brisk walk.

Tuesday: Rest day.

Wednesday: Walk briskly for 10 minutes. Then, complete the following circuits, resting 1 min. after each set but not between exercises. Stretch afterward.

Thursday: Rest day.

Friday: 30-minute bike ride or moderate-pace jog.

Saturday: Rest day.

Sunday: Run, jog or take a long walk for 40 minutes.

The one-week program above is just a simple sample to get you started. For more workout ideas and plans, check out the following links:

Summary:
There are a variety of exercises you can do, and the plan above is just one example to help get you started working out.

1. Stay Hydrated

Drinking fluids throughout the day is essential for maintaining healthy hydration levels.

2. Optimize Your Nutrition

Be sure to consume a balanced diet to support your fitness program.

All food groups are necessary to sustain healthy energy levels and get the most out of your workout. Carbs are particularly important, as they can fuel your muscles before exercise ().

Carbs are also important after exercise to replenish glycogen stores and assist the absorption of amino acids into your muscles during recovery ().

Additionally, protein improves muscle recovery after exercise, repairs tissue damage and builds muscle mass (, ).

Lastly, regularly consuming healthy fats has been shown to help burn body fat and preserve muscle fuel during workouts, making your energy last longer ().

Click these links for more info about pre-workout and post-workout nutrition.

3. Warm Up

It can also improve your flexibility and help reduce soreness after your workout ().

Simply start your workout with some aerobic exercises like arm swings, leg kicks and walking lunges.

Alternatively, you can warm up by doing easy movements of the exercise you are planning to do. For example, walk before you run.

4. Cool Down

Cooling down is also important because it helps your body return to its normal state.

Some cool-down ideas include light walking after aerobic exercise or stretching after resistance training.

5. Listen to Your Body

If you're not used to working out every day, be mindful of your limits.

If you feel pain or discomfort while exercising, stop and rest before continuing. Pushing through the pain is not a good idea, as it can cause injuries.

Also, remember that working out harder and faster is not necessarily better.

Taking your time to progress through your fitness program can help you maintain your routine in the long term and make the most of it.

Summary:
Be sure to stay hydrated, eat a balanced diet, warm up before exercising, cool down afterward and listen to your body.

The key to staying motivated and making exercise a habit is to have fun while doing it. This allows you to not dread having to exercise.

Like the sample exercise program shown above, you can mix up activities while keeping it fun for you.

Joining a gym or group fitness class like yoga or Pilates, hiring a personal trainer or doing team sports are also good ideas to increase motivation and enjoyment ().

Working out as a group or with a friend can also assist in maintaining accountability and motivate you to keep up your good work.

Furthermore, tracking your progress, such as logging your weight lifting or noting your running times, can help keep you motivated to improve your personal records.

Summary:
To maintain your motivation, mix up your workouts, join a gym or team sport and track your progress.

Starting a new exercise routine can be challenging. However, having real objectives can help you maintain a fitness program in the long term.

There are many different types of physical activity to choose from. Find a few that work for you and be sure to vary them occasionally.

The goal is to start slowly, build up your fitness level and let your body rest from time to time to prevent injuries.

Keeping track of your progress or joining a fitness group can help you stay motivated and achieve your goals. It's also important to eat a healthy diet and hydrate regularly.

So, what are you waiting for? Start exercising today!

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How to Start Exercising: A Beginner's Guide to Working Out

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Exercising regularly is one of the best things you can do for your health. Soon after you start exercising, you'll begin to see and feel the benefits that physical activity can have on your body and well-being. However, working exercise into your routine takes a lot of determination, and sticking to it in the long term requires discipline.

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New programs for all ages Ambition, curiosity, creativity and passion don't fit in any one box. No matter who you are or how you learn, ASU is ready to serve learners at every stage of life.