How To Start Exercising Again After A Long Break
Every time you try to exercise again after a long break, it gets harder and harder. Why? You may feel weaker than before, tire more quickly, or bend or straighten your legs less well.
At some point you have to bite the bullet and go back to your routine. If you feel like you’re stuck in the way we’ve described, be sure to keep reading.
Learn how to start exercising again after a long break.
The first step is the hardest
The first month is the hardest to bite through when it comes to going to the gym, playing sports, or fitness training.
It’s harder to stick to the routine if you:
- have had an injury
- have to work more than before
- having children
- is getting married
- starts with a training
As we’ve said, the hardest part is getting back to moving. That’s because you lose your fitness and it feels like you have to start all over again, even if you’ve been exercising for years before that.
If you fall back into the habit, it will soon become automatic again, just like before. The first week of your routine is the most important. And if you do this for a month, it will become harder to stop.
To help you take these first steps, remember that exercising is synonymous with good health. Not only will it help you lose weight, but it will also keep your heart and breathing working properly.
Sport can have various effects such as:
- reduce stress and anxiety
- improve your mood
- make you more flexible
- it helps you sleep better
- and much more
5 tips for exercising again after a long break
Check out the following tips that will help you start exercising after a long break if you haven’t done it for a long time.
1. Start small
Don’t try to jump right back into the same routine. If you ran 20 kilometers every day, start with a few blocks. Be patient and don’t exhaust yourself.
By starting small, you will be able to increase the difficulty and therefore you will always be motivated to improve yourself.
For example, if you were at an advanced level when you stopped, it won’t hurt to start as a beginner again, at least for a few days. Within a month you will be almost at the same level where you stopped.
2. Be realistic
It’s important to accept that you won’t be fit and in great shape right away after months of non-training.
While you can enjoy the benefits of exercise as soon as you start again, remember that it’s not magic and miracles won’t happen.
If you’ve gained weight or lost stamina, remember that it’s just the result of that long break. Don’t let it put you off and stay motivated.
3. Provide variety
Doing something you enjoy and feel good about will only double the benefits! It also ensures that you do not get bored and stop quickly. Try to come up with something new every time, every day or every week.
For example, you can:
- go for a walk on Monday
- weightlifting on tuesday
- cycling on wednesday
- jogging on thursday and friday
This is a complete routine that you will enjoy more.
4. Give your body enough rest
If you’ve worked hard for a day, postpone exercising to the next day. Make sure you don’t delay it by more than a day. And if you’re sick, don’t pressure yourself to go to the gym anyway.
That won’t help you and neither will the people around you. You can miss a workout, as long as it’s an exception.
5. Reward yourself
Every time you reach a goal, you give yourself some kind of reward. Slightly small, especially when it comes to food. For example, you can:
- going to the cinema
- buy new clothes
- buy a nice magazine
This positive feedback will ensure that you continue to enjoy exercising and strive to achieve your goals. You need all the motivation you can get right now, so this reward system is a good idea.
