8 Simple Ways To Start Exercising Again
For the majority of us, life has almost certainly changed in the last two years. Whether it’s moving from the office to your home to work, coping with online learning, catching up with loved ones, and making up for the holidays you missed, they all add up! Then all of a sudden you find that your regular exercise routine is no longer existent. Just remember that it happens to all of us and no one has the perfect life.
How do you get back on track and into a solid routine that is easy to manage?
Here are some tips we know will help you get out of your rut and back into moving and grooving again:
Planning - One of the first steps before you actually dive back into a workout routine is to plan out what you want your routine to look like, and how you want to get there. If it’s been awhile since you last worked out, you’ll definitely want to start small.
Schedule your workout - Finding time to exercise can be a challenge. To make it easier, schedule time to exercise as you would any other appointment. Set a goal and stick to it. If you can commit to one day per week, then make sure you follow through on it. Commitment is the key to consistency.
Remember how good you feel after a workout - Exercise does a lot of things to the brain. You’ve probably heard of endorphins, right? These are hormones that are produced by the central nervous system and the pituitary gland within the brain. Their main job is to inhibit the transmission of pain signals, but they also produce a feeling or euphoria. This is what makes you feel happier instantly, and the effects will last a good amount of time.
Find an exercise buddy - You and your workout buddy can hold each other accountable. If one of you gets unmotivated, the other can help re-motivate you. Guilt can be a big motivator – specifically in the context of not wanting to let your friend down when you decide to sleep in and your friend shows up to go running. That extra level of accountability increases your odds of success.
Gradually increase duration of workouts - Slow and steady wins the race!
Don’t forget about your diet - Eating a healthy balanced diet accompanied by regular exercise is essential in maintaining physical and mental health and well-being. Not only are these effective in preventing excess weight gain or in maintaining weight loss, but healthier lifestyles are also associated with improved sleep and mood.
Safety - Always check with your doctor to get the all clear before starting an exercise program.
Sleep - Good, quality sleep is one of the most effective ways to recover and recharge after training and exercise. Sleeping enough—and soundly— will not only improve your physical performance, but it will help improve your mental and emotional performance as well.