We all know exercise is important, but sometimes (especially if you scroll through too much social media) it can feel like it’s solely the domain of buff gym goers, yoga gurus and people who look sensational in lycra. But what if you are really not in that category – and already feeling pretty dreadful about your level of fitness or tightening clothes? For whatever reasons, you may not have exercised for years, and even though you know how important it is for both your physical and mental heath, it all feels a bit overwhelming to even know where to start.
But starting out right is actually really important if you want a better chance of long-term success. Here are some things to think about to put you on the right road to good health and fitness rather than the one that leads to your sofa and a two-litre of Tip Top’s finest.
Start with small achievable goals
If you’re out of shape, you’re sometimes better off starting with super simple goals so you can achieve them easily and feel good about yourself. Once it feels easy, you can build on those goals when you feel up to it. If you’ve been doing nothing at all, a 10-15 minute walk every day might be a good place to start until you feel ready to do more.
Link exercise to fun
If you hate what you’re trying to do to improve your health, it’s dead in the water from the get-go. Play tennis with your kid, dance at home when no one is around, do yoga with a friend, or walk to a cafe. Associate exercise with joy rather than pain.
Split your exercise up throughout the day
Does the thought of committing to ten lunges while the kettle is boiling, 15 arm reps with light weights after brushing your teeth, ten squats when you get home from work, and five press-ups against the bathroom or kitchen sink sound less daunting than an actual dedicated exercise session? Do two ten-minute walks a day sound less stressful than one 20-minute one? One of them could even be to go and get lunch in your work break. Break it down till it doesn’t feel overwhelming.
Find a friend in the same boat
That voice in your head telling you you’ve been lazy and you’ll never get healthy and fit, has much less power when it’s drowned out by a friend saying ‘we can do this together.’ Find a buddy and progress together.
Celebrate Your Progress
Celebrate your achievements, no matter how small they may seem. Recognising and celebrating small victories will help reinforce your new exercise habits, propelling you toward greater accomplishments. The celebrations don’t need to be huge – watching your favourite show, a healthy sweet treat, a long bath, whatever brings you joy after a job well done.
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