Health and fitness for every body
Exercise gurus have always suggested that workouts become a part of your daily routine; akin to brushing your teeth, preparing a meal, or washing your hair – something that you do every day and see as absolutely essential and – ideally – completely unavoidable.
However, while the idea of incorporating workouts into your everyday life is a nice idea, it is just a… well, a nice idea. If it’s possible, great, but for a huge proportion of people, there simply aren’t enough hours in the day to regularly visit the gym or even work out at home on a consistent basis. When a schedule becomes tight, then a workout – rather than the far-less-time-consuming hair brushing or preparing a meal – will always be the first to go.
As a result, many people haven’t quite managed to follow the exercise guru’s advice and see workouts as a standard part of life. This means that every so often, they face the need to restart their workout habits after a (potentially very long) break. If you’re in the same position, then here are a few tips that should help you to feel resume your workouts as effectively as possible…
#1 – Seek professional advice
Most importantly, the advice of your doctor: it’s always best to speak to your primary care physician before embarking on an exercise plan, even if you feel well. In addition, you may also find it helpful to discuss your plans with a personal trainer; even if you then work out solo, expert insight can provide you with a few personalized tips that you should find beneficial.
#2 – Audit everything you’ll need to work out
If it’s been a while since you last exercised, the first thing you’ll need to do when contemplating a return is audit everything that you’ll rely on to work out effectively. From your workout clothes to your supplements to your reusable water bottle, examine everything you own that is related to working out and make sure it’s as it should be. If this audit identifies items that need to be replaced or restocked, then do so; you’ll want to ensure that you feel your best, with everything you need, as you prepare to resume your exercise routine.
#3 – Ask a friend to join in
Having a workout buddy can really help to increase your levels of motivation, which should help you to transition back to a routine where you’re exercising regularly. Ask around your friends and family to see if there’s anyone else who is interested in getting back into exercise, and then either work out together (if your schedules allow) or at least keep in touch about your workouts and your goals every few days.
#4 – Set new goals
Speaking of goals, if you’re starting to work out again after a long break, then the goals you were previously working towards the last time you were exercising regularly are no longer going to be suitable. Instead, set new goals based on your current priorities and what you would like to achieve, so you can begin again with a fresh start rather than measuring against previous performance.
#5 – Take a “slow and steady” approach
When you’ve taken a long break from exercising, the first few weeks of your return should predominantly be about getting back into the habit and finding the time in your day to work out. Taking a “slow and steady” approach allows you to make this important readjustment and get back into the swing of things, but without overexercising or risking injury by working out too much to begin with. Go gently and take your time until you’re back into your usual routine, then look to advance from that point and build to working out for longer each time.
#6 – Take plenty of rest days
Even if you previously worked out almost every day, when you’re just getting back into the swing of exercise, rest days will definitely be your friend. Initially, you may find it useful to employ a “one day on, two days off” strategy; this should give you optimal time for recovery, while still allowing you to build a sense of momentum. As you adjust and your strength begins to grow, you can then look to decrease the number of rest days you take – but remember it’s still good advice to keep at least a few such days in your usual exercise plan, so don’t overdo it!
In conclusion
With the tips above in mind, you should be able to resume your workouts and enjoy the subsequent boost to your overall health and well-being!
