How To Start Working Out Again After A Year-Long Hibernation
/
We’ve been dealing with the Covid-19 crisis for over a year—which means that many people, including myself, scaled back their workout schedule while we waited it out. And while home workouts can be effective and convenient, personally nothing replaces a sweaty gym session or group fitness class. Now, with more and more people getting vaccinated, businesses starting to open, and things are coming to life again—what better time to restart your fitness routine? Here are my tips for getting back into exercising after this year-long hibernation!
1. Don’t be hard on yourself
This is advice that anyone, including myself, can and should take. It’s easy to slip into a negative headspace when we start working out again after a hiatus. You aren’t where you used to be, and you start beating yourself up (which eventually leads you to give up). Do yourself a favor and accept where you are. Meet yourself where you are and get at the heart of why you want to work out again. Here are some phrases I like to put on repeat in my mind when my inner critic starts creeping in:
It’s okay to be where you are right now.
There’s no blame or shame to put on yourself
You’re doing everything you need to do to get where you want to be
You’re doing the best you can in this moment, and that is enough
You are in control of your actions from this moment forward. You cannot change or erase what’s behind you. Just keep moving forward
We talk to ourselves more than we talk to anyone else—so we ought to make that voice positive and motivating, rather than resentful and self-destructive.
2. Start with something you know you can do
If you are just recently getting back into exercising, do not—I repeat, do not—start with the hardest activity you can think of. You and I both know that’s not sustainable. Instead, start with something you know you can do… like walking! The barrier to entry for walking is relatively low and the only equipment you need is a pair of supportive walking sneakers. (Check out this post I did recently about my favorite walking gear.) Plus, walking has numerous benefits to offer, whether you’re trying to lose weight, tone up, or simply improve your overall health.
Need a little extra motivation? The 2nd Pure Joy Wellness Walking Challenge starts on May 1, and it’s a simple way to ease yourself back into fitness and get in the habit of moving every day. Follow this link to join the PJW Private Facebook Group, where I’ll be hosting the Challenge!
3. Push yourself a bit and keep your workouts interesting
Doing the same exercise over and over again can feel monotonous and get boring very quickly. Also, the more you do something, the easier it will get for you. This is great, because you’re making progress, but your brain needs a challenge and your body will respond better to you switching it up. Walkers: Add these Bala Bangles to your wrists the next time you hit the pavement. Runners: Try adding HIIT intervals to your runs! Pick up the pace for a minute, slow down and jog for two minutes, and repeat. Whatever activity you enjoy doing, think about ways you can up the ante a bit. Add weights, change your music, go faster, work out for longer—the options are endless.
4. Find a buddy to work out with, or better yet, join an accountability group!
Self-accountability is no joke, and we all know it’s easier to motivate ourselves to work out when we have someone else to be accountable to and someone who wants to go through it with us. Find a walking buddy in your neighborhood, or set up a weekly catchup call with a friend that you can take on the go. Or, if you want a group of badass women to cheer you on, you can come join the Pure Joy Wellness Private Facebook Group before the Walking Challenge starts on May 1!
I hope you find these tips helpful and that you’re excited to start working out again! And don’t forget to follow me on Instagram—where I share tips on everything from menopause and nutrition to hormones and gut health.
Xo,
Renata