How to Safely Begin Exercising?
Happy New Year! A new year is a new chance to follow through on your commitment to giving yourself a healthier and stronger body!
Whether you’ve exercised before and have fallen away from your routine or you’ve never had a formal exercise routine before and aren’t quite sure how to start, following the tips below will guide you safely into that fitness groove you’ve been thinking about.
Undertaking regular exercise routine has many benefits. Not only does it lead to a healthier body, but it can also lead to a healthier mind. Studies have shown that regular exercise:
- Lowers stress
- Improves mood
- Reduces the risk of depressive disorders
More good news: Daily exercise doesn’t mean training for a marathon. If you like to run, great! Fifteen minutes of jogging each day will have multiple, positive physical and mental benefits. But daily exercise can as simply as...
- Going for a 30-minute walk
- Spending 15 minutes on a treadmill or stepper
- Practicing a yoga or stretching routine.
Daily exercise can also be composed of combinations of separate activities, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator, walking to nearby locations instead of driving, or doing housework.
Ready to get started? Make the Commitment
The first step of a regular exercise routine is to make a commitment to doing it, and following the “Big Three” will help you keep that commitment.
- Be realistic. The main reason most people fall away from their exercise routines is because they overcommit themselves to the level and/or length of activity. Setting goals is helpful and important, but be sure your goals are realistic. Think: quick wins. For example, you may want to start walking for 30 minutes each day. Instead, start with 10 minutes and slowly increase that time. Starting a new exercise routine gradually is better for your body than jumping in all at once.
- Be patient. As the saying goes, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” Neither were exercise routines. It may take a little time before your daily exercise routine is formed and becomes a habit, and you will need to learn how to work that routine into your life. If you miss a day or two here or there, that’s okay. What’s important is that you get back to it as soon as possible. Don’t give up!
- Be faithful. We all have days where we feel “off” or don’t feel like exercising. Try to push through that feeling and make the effort to spend at least a few minutes exercising. What’s important is maintaining your commitment to exercise. However, don’t push yourself to exercise if you’re very tired or unwell, as that might lead to injury.
Bonus Tip: Find a workout buddy! Exercising is even more fun with friends or a partner and the two (or more) of you can help motivate each other to stick with it. Sharing goals and achievements, doing group activities, and even just checking in to root each other on can be very helpful!
If you have any health conditions that make you wonder if you should avoid certain types of exercise, it’s best to consult with a health care professional before starting your routine. Otherwise, follow the “Big Three,” and watch your body and mind transform!