Starting to exercise again after a period of inactivity can be an intimidating process. If you used to exercise, stopped for some reason, and then gained weight or just got really out of shape, your body has lost its familiarity with activities like running, swimming, biking, and so on. Getting back into exercise is hard. Struggling with pain from working out and seemingly not making any progress can be discouraging, and gym culture makes even the fittest people feel vulnerable and exposed. However, do not be dismayed. There is a way to get back into exercise and to the point where you are confident in your fitness and no longer terrified at the idea of going to a gym.
Exercise is based on Practice and Patience
The first step is to take a deep breath and gain some perspective. You are making a positive decision in your life, so give yourself some grace. You cannot expect to just jump into exercising and be awesome at it. Exercise is based on practice and patience. If it seems like you are going backward instead of forward, it is all just part of the journey. Instead of focusing exclusively on areas where you need improvement, focus on your victories and take pride in your achievements. This will boost your confidence and give you the emotional energy to keep trying. You should also try your best to not compare yourself to others. Everyone’s body and journey are different, so comparing yourself to their accomplishments is one of the quickest ways to kill any confidence you have accumulated. Allow yourself to be inspired by others, but do not expect yourself to have the same story. Again, focus on your progress and all that you have accomplished.
Make Healthy Food Choices
A big part of fitness is having the right foods to promote weight loss and give your body energy to take on all the exercises. Water is probably the most important thing you can remember; most people are dangerously close to being dehydrated at any given part of the day, and trying to exercise without adequate water will make the workouts harder and you will have significantly less energy and endurance. Start drinking more water and keep your body hydrated even when you are not working out. Before a workout, eat familiar meals that are low in fat and fiber, includes liquids, and have a moderate level of carbs and protein. Avoid foods that have been fried and that sit in your stomach. The more intense the workout, the more carbs you can add into your pre-exercise meal.
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