Lets discuss a very important topic – how to start exercising again after a long break! If there were one word to describe the intricacies of modern life that would fit the most, it would be: HECTIC. Our day-to-day lives can be accurately summed up as a constant pursuit of wealth and professional development.
Between the intensive career development, personal matters, and our need for easy and instantly gratifying ways of entertaining ourselves, it’s no wonder that many people forgo keeping their bodies in shape. They simply don’t have the time anymore.
What those people forget is that having a healthy and fit body will directly translate to achieving better results in all aforementioned life activities. It may be hard at first, but things like setting up proper goals, starting slow, or even joining a gym would definitely help you out. Below you’ll find a few tips on how to keep the one thing you can’t replace – your body – fit.
disclosure: this is a partnered post
#1: Set Realistic Fitness Goals
If you’re not already in shape, it will take some time to get into it. Don’t expect your body to look like that of a professional athlete or even of someone who’s been working out for months. Setting your goals low at first doesn’t mean you’re lazy or want to underachieve. It actually shows that you understand your body and the limits it has after a long period of little to no exercise.
If you want to know how to start exercising again – you should aim for progress, no matter how small it is. And one of the most effective ways to track your progress is to monitor your stats with a sports watch.
Being able to deadlift the equivalent of your own body weight after a month may seem like a puny feat for the likes of Arnold Schwarzenegger, but it will still strengthen your muscles and, therefore, body immensely. Should you prefer long-distance running, doing a 5k road race might sound particularly demanding at first, but after a year of training, it shouldn’t pose any severe difficulties to you. Still if you feel the necessity of a helping hand you can hire a personal trainer from lucasjamespersonaltraining.com to workout in an efficient way.
#2: Set Up A Gym At Home
The idea of working out at home is becoming increasingly popular and its a great way how to start exercising again. Many people simply prefer working out in the comfort of their own houses. But what equipment do you need? And how do you set up a small gym in your house?
Gyms come in all shapes and sizes, from a small home gym to a sprawling exercise complex with multiple rooms. Gym equipment experts from Fitness-Eq advise that, in order to set up a small gym at home, you should consider what kind of exercise you enjoy most and which equipment will help you obtain the results you want. For example, if you’re trying to build muscle mass, weightlifting, free weights, and a bench press are essential items. If you enjoy cardio workouts, treadmills and stationary bikes are the way to go. There are many different options available depending on your goals, space, and budget.
Many of these machines come with a hefty price tag. If you’re on a budget, try setting up a few of them yourself using inexpensive alternatives such as milk crates instead of weightlifting racks or plastic milk containers instead of weight plates. You can also use simple tools like broomsticks or rolling pins in place of dumbbell bars for certain exercises such as bicep curls or tricep extensions. Work with what you have available and stick with it until you can afford better equipment.
#3: Keep a Food Journal
Everyone knows what they should eat and how much, but it’s not always easy to maintain that healthy diet that compliments your workouts. To make sure that you stay on track with your healthy eating habits, consider keeping a food journal.
A food journal will require you to document every meal and snack you consume. This will allow you to see exactly what you eat on a daily basis and provide you with an opportunity to make adjustments that would work the best with your training regime.
Another great benefit of keeping a food journal is that you’ll become aware of what you usually eat and see if any changes need to be made. For example, if you don’t eat enough fruits and veggies, maybe it’s time to add more of them into your diet. You can then go on and research recipes online or just use the old-fashioned method by picking up a nutrition book.
As for the actual food journal itself, there are multiple options available. Many people just write everything down by hand, while others prefer using electronic applications. The choice is yours, but either method would work just fine.
#4: Keep Your Mind in Shape Too
Just like your body, your brain needs regular exercise to stay sharp, healthy, and, most of all, motivated to continue your established training regimen. It’s no secret that activities such as reading, writing, playing chess, or even solving crosswords puzzles are good for the mind. But did you know that you could combine physical and mental exercise thanks to audiobooks?
What do they do for you, and why would you listen to one when you could read a book instead? Well, audiobooks provide you with a wide variety of benefits. They’re convenient in a way a paperback novel or a Kindle reader isn’t, they can be listened to in almost any environment, and they don’t require much concentration. You can use them to keep your mind active without using any other sense than your hearing. That means going for a run, doing a cardio workout, or even swimming (should you have waterproof headphones) while listening to your favorite author is perfectly doable.
One of the best ways to use audiobooks is to listen to short segments of them while working out. You can start this habit with just a few minutes per day and build it up slowly over time. The possibilities are endless, and the only limit is your imagination. Its an innovative way when it comes to how to start exercising again.
In Closing …
All of these tips and tricks can be a good start towards how to start exercising again and an easier return to regular exercising. Just remember to set your sights on what’s realistic, create a training area suitable for your needs, keep track of what you eat and never neglect the needs of your mind.
It’s all relatively simple to implement and doesn’t require a lot of time or money. You can try some of them out for yourself or mix and match different solutions to find those best suitable for your needs. Some awesome activewear also never goes astray when trying to get motivated to exercise. Good luck!
Author’s Bio: Max is a blogger who has been actively involved in all sorts of activities related to fitness, nutrition, and healthy lifestyle. He’s passionate about helping people improve their quality of life through better diet and regular exercise.
