Five ways to get back to exercise

Welcome another Healthy Melton Blog

1. Get the habit first.

I know everyone tells you to just get started but I am going to explain how it works. From my experience life is about habits. So when you decide to start exercising again set your self up right. Aim for an achievable amount of exercise. Even a five minute walk 3 times a week is a start.

Make your return to exercise achievable. Build the habit then build the length and intensity.

2. Don’t beat yourself up.

Exercise should be part of life, not your entire life. If you have your session planed for Monday and you miss it, don’t beat yourself up. Keep positive and do it on Tuesday. Its OK. That’s why we start with small sessions which can be fitted in during your week.

You are in it for the long haul. If you miss a session pick it up the next day.

3. Keep your exercise simple.

The goal is to start exercising again. Generally, the more you complicate thing you start the more difficult it is to achieve them. Your best choice is to exercise form home with the minimum amount of equipment. That is why I suggest walking as a good start. Remember we are trying to develop the health habit of exercise. When you have the habit you can build in intensity, increase time, and exercise in more complex ways.

Keeping your goals and program simple, makes it achievable.

4. Set an achievable program.

When you start you have to do enough exercise at the right intensity to feel the sense of achievement. My recommendation for getting back to exercise is to start with 3 times per week for 20 minutes. Usually, this would be walking. Intensity wise, your breathing should be a little above normal.

Your program shoulder be comfortable and achievable. Remember we are in the habit building phase of returning to exercise.

5. Be flexible.

Don’t be too rigid with your course, times, intensity. If anything your personal best goal should be to complete each session feeling good. As you can see starting exercise again is about building the healthy habit.

When exercising is like cleaning your teeth you are there. What I mean is you would not go to bed without cleaning our teeth. It’s an ingrained habit.