Since January seems to be all about cleansing , detox but also exercise, I decided to do a blog post for those of you who are new to exercise or have not exercised in a long time and do not know where to begin. There is a lot of pressure especially when the new year comes to suddenly change and throw ourselves in diets and exercise. Sadly most tend to give up within a week because maybe they do too much too fast. I am a firm believer in eating healthy and exercising to live a longer healthier life, however if you have never exercised before do not decide to suddenly run a marathon. It is better to start slowly and be consistent. It is best to do a little exercise each day rather than burn yourself out the first day and then decide exercise isn’t for you. Here below are a few tips I hope will help you.
Get an exercise buddy
Exercising with a friend is an excellent way to start exercising especially if you are new to an active lifestlye and feel intimidated at the idea of stepping foot into a gym. Finding a working out partner will motivate you and push you harder to persevere and not give up. Find someone that is positive and full of energy. Being around positive people is always a bonus. You want to be be motivated.
Find the exercise that is right for you
This is very important. Experiment to see what you like. You can do running, walking, swimming etc. Try joining a gym and doing their classes or get advice from a personal trainer. Were you good at sports at school? Join a team. Try yoga which is very relaxing. Experiment by trying different classes and sports to find out what you like. Dancing is also another great form of exercise. It is important to find what suits you and remember you have to enjoy it in order for it to be fun. No point going to the gym if you hate it. By doing something you enjoy you are likely to not give up.
Walk wherever you can
Try to walk more. For example get off the bus a few stops earlier and walk to work. Instead of taking lifts go for the stairs. Do not drive short distances you can walk in 15 – 20 minutes. Try to move as much as you can to get into the routine of exercising, especially if you do not have time to join a gym. Once you get used to it and want something a little more challenging then you can look at exercising for longer periods. Use the weekends to go to the park and walk or cycling.
Start Slow
Exercise is good. I tend to exercise a lot because for me it is a hobby, passion and way of life. For me exercising is a natural thing to do. It makes me feel confident and alive. If you are new to exercise I would strongly suggest you start slowly. If you go crazy and exert yourself for hours the first day, you will end up being extremely sore the next day and this is when most people tend to give up. I would suggest starting with 30 minutes a day. This can be a brisk walk outdoors. From 30 minutes you can eventually increase to 60 minutes. If you decide to do a class, start with a beginner’s class, you do not want to be carried out on a stretcher.
Plan an exercise Schedule
Planning in advance is a great way to start the week right. Jot down on a piece of paper all the activities you would like to do. This can be anything from walking, swimming, playing tennis, dancing, yoga to joining a gym. Have a look at the nearest classes to you and book. Join a gym. Then purchase a planner that you put on your wall and fill it in with all the planned physical activity for the weeks ahead. Writing things down, having a diary or a planner is always a good idea. It adds structure and it allows you to see the progress you have made.
Buy some new Sports gear
There is nothing like sexy sports gear to make you feel confident. If you buy pretty work out clothes you will look forward to wearing them and working out. I am not saying to go crazy and buy tons of gear but do invest in a few good pieces.
Hope the above advice helps you to embark on a new fitness journey.