If you haven’t exercised for a while or have never really got into an exercise routine it can feel a bit overwhelmng and difficult to know where to start. Here are a few tips that might help –
- Exercise does not have to be all or nothing. For example, you might have planned to go for a run but you wake up feeling tired, don’t let that stop you exercising altogether. Be adaptable – do some yoga, an online stretch class, go for a walk – something to move your body that day. Once you start you might find it’s not as bad as you thought.
- Schedule in time in your diary to do some exercise and make it a priority. If you don’t make it a priority it probably won’t happen.
- Make a plan that’s realistic. If you haven’t exercised for a while planning to do 5 runs a week is probably unrealistic! Think about what you can realistically fit into your week that will not feel too onerous and will allow enough time for rest and recovery.
- If you can, exercise early in the day or you may well talk yourself out of it!
- Think about what you enjoy and work around that. You are very unlikely to stick to something you don’t enjoy, particularly in the long term.
- If you find it hard to motivate yourself get together with a friend and workout together (obvs outside and socially distanced!)
- Moving your body can really help lift your mood for the rest of the day. Try to remember this positive feeling and use it to motivate yourself.
- If you want some help, having a few session with a personal trainer can help you structure a realistic workout plan and ensure you know the correct exercises to do to achieve your goals.