What a year and then some we’ve had, no? There were certainly challenges in the fitness department. Pre-pandemic you may have had a routine you stuck to. Maybe you’ve fallen off the fitness horse since. That’s okay. If you’re ready to get back into exercising, here are some easy ways to make it happen.
This is a guest post in collaboration with Alycia Coloma.
Invest in the right gear for exercising
Whether you hope to start running or you want to lift weights at the gym, what you need is the right gear. Wearing the wrong shoes for running or gym training can cause injuries, so it’s best to invest in quality gear for your sport or exercise.
For example, if you plan on training for trail running, don’t just buy any pair of running shoes. Invest in trail running shoes for maximum protection. Alternatively, lifting weights with a pair of running shoes is going to be painful and won’t give you the support your feet need.
Find the right exercise buddy
Whether it’s your spouse or best friend, an exercise buddy can make it easier to get it done. Waking up early to go running alone while your other half sleeps in your warm bed can be very challenging. Pro tip: if you have an athletic partner, give them new running shoes to inspire them to join you. If you don’t have someone who can join you at the gym or on a run, consider reaching out to a friend who can check in with you regularly to help provide accountability.
You can also consider working with a professional coach, who not only helps you reach your goals, but also inspires you to keep going on the days you don’t feel like it.
Journal your exercising progress
The thing about exercise and fitness is that it can be a challenge to see your progress at first. To help you see how your body progresses throughout the months of exercising towards your goal, keep track of everything from your nutrition to your PRs in your sports, running, or weightlifting. There’s nothing more inspiring than seeing how far you’ve come, especially after all of the hard work you put into it.
Understand your “why”
Without a “why” for exercising, it can be hard to keep it up. Are you looking to lose weight? Or, maybe you enjoy a sport like mountain biking, and want to be in the best shape possible to improve your skill? Maybe exercise is a form of self-care for you. Knowing why you’re training can help you to show up on the days when it may be challenging to make the effort.
Be flexible when it comes to exercising
It can be easy to have your mind set on one type of exercise. Things come up. Say you have a gym membership, and you go every day at the same time. Then, one day, the traffic is so bad, you’re unable to make it.
While the gym may be your preference, consider taking the day to go for a run. It’s always good to do some cross-training, regardless of what you’re training/working out for, so be flexible when it comes to how you get exercise. At the end of the day, just be sure you try to move throughout the week, even if it’s just getting out on a walk with the kids.
In conclusion
Think about your why, determine the how, and enjoy the process. Exercise may be hard to get into at first but once you start a routine, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it. From its mental health benefits to aiding you in fitness goals or weight loss, there are many reasons to incorporate fitness into your lifestyle today.
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