ADVICE RATING |
 4.90 (Highly recommend) from 11 votes (236 Visits) |
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Starting Exercise Again....? |
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by sluxton  (September 2007) (rank 122nd) |
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It took me many years to get back to exercise again so I feel after 15 years of little or no exercise and just completing my first cross country running season in that period of time, that I have something to share.......Here's my tips for returning to exercise...
1.
It doesn't have to be hard core running or swimming or whatever the neighbour does. Everyone has different interests and so treat your sport like an interest and what you think you can do best or what fits in best with your (family) life.
2. Dont expect too much of yourself initially. Just aim for once a week and treat any more than that as a bonus. If you miss a week, just try to go next week but be strong about that. If you start out thinking you have to go for a walk "every day" from next Sunday and you go once - you'll only disappoint yourself and then get into a negative cycle. So reward yourself mentally (as opposed to with chocolate or wine) when you achieve a consistent "once a week I exercise" status after whatever time period you set for yourself.
3. Dont start at "the beginning of a week" because if you dont go in the first week, it wont happen for a few more weeks. The moment you decide you want to exercise - you get out there and you exercise and treat that as your one for this week. If you feel like going exercising again the next day - that's fine too. Dont forget though that (and I speak generally here because I am mid thirties) that you are no spring chicken and so exercising every day when you are just starting out will stop as abruptly as it started!
4. If you are running (or swimming or walking) - take it easy when you start out. Be consistent. You have to be able to run (walk or smim) 1km slowly before you can run 1km quickly! Just aim for 30-40 minutes of consistent exercise at a pace that you will last the distance for. If starting running - majority should be walking initially. Do your research on starting running and make sure your core muscles are strong.
5. If your friend can go faster than you - so what. Be happy for her. You are exercising for you and you stick to your comfort zones and be aware and reward yourself for how well you improve against YOUR previous exercise sessions. It is all about You YOU YOU! Noone else. Even a top runner will tell you that.
6. Good Luck!
