How to Get Yourself into a New Exercise Routine
Collaborative Post
Getting physically active is pretty straightforward. It’s doing so in a way that’ll stick that’s the tricky part. If you’ve struggled throughout life to develop an exercise routine that’s right for you, and that developed into a habit, then don’t be disheartened – you’re in good company. Besides, it’s never too late to develop the right habits.
The benefits of exercise in older age
We’re all familiar with the benefits of exercise. It’ll help you to live longer, it’ll help you to avoid many illnesses, and it can be great fun, too. For older people, many of these benefits are particularly acute. It may stave off cognitive decline, reduce anxiety, support your cardiovascular health, and help you to remain mobile and injury-free for as long as possible.
Getting back into exercise
If you’ve become physically inactive, then there a few simple steps you can take to get yourself back into it.
The first and most important step is to choose a form of exercise that you really enjoy. If you don’t, then you’ll eventually lose motivation and give up – no matter how convinced you are of the benefits in the long term.
It’s a good idea to join a gym. The gym will be able to provide you with equipment that you might not be able to access elsewhere, as well as a social environment in which to exercise. For older people, getting familiar with the free-weight section can yield substantial benefits.
Combining exercise with social activity can also be incredibly beneficial. Attend an exercise class and you’re likely to meet new friends – and you’ll have an excuse to see them. What’s more, if you don’t attend the class, you’ll have to explain why you didn’t. And that little bit of pressure might be what keeps you going!
It’s vital that you support your exercise with the right nutrition. That means a balanced diet that’s rich in vegetables, alongside the occasional healthy snack, like a breakfast bar.
Committing to your routine
You’ll want to choose forms of exercise that you enjoy – but also workouts that you’re actually good at. While you might want to address your weaknesses, there’s also a lot to be said for playing to your strengths. Find an activity that you take to, and stick with it.
Break your workouts into smaller chunks. This will help to stop everything feeling completely overwhelming. Circuit training is a great example of this practice. You’ll do several different forms of exercise in a row, and then go back to the start of the circuit.
To give yourself structure, you’ll want to make sure that you’ve got established goals. These will give you something to work towards, which will help to motivate you. They’ll also allow you to assess your progress, and let you know when you’re doing something right.
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