How to Ease Back into Exercising After a Long Break

Photo by Samantha Gades on Unsplash

Life gets in the way sometimes, and we can get off track with our good habits. We might get sick or injured, go through a particularly overwhelming period at work, or have urgent family matters to tend to. Then, all of a sudden, our exercise routine becomes non-existent.

Perhaps you, like many others, have been thrown off track by the pandemic. For many people, contracting COVID-19 limited their capacity to engage in physical exercise for months afterward.

We’re not going to sugarcoat it: getting back to exercise is going to be difficult – especially in the first two months, until it becomes a habit. But you can do it, and we’ve got some tips to help you ease back into working out regularly.

Find the Right Motivation

Fitness is one of those things where you have to want it for yourself. It’s up to you to find the inspiration to get back to the gym and get fit. Furthermore, it’s not only about finding the drive to be in shape but also about having the right sort of motivation. Forget about external motivation, such as looking good in an outfit. You’ll need to dive a little deeper.

Why do you want to do this?

It has to be centered around things that are truly meaningful to you as a person. You’ll need to determine your true “why.” Perhaps being fit and healthy is about feeling good about yourself, having confidence, or striving to be your best. Remember that you are doing something good for yourself every time you exercise, and you should be proud of yourself.

Allow Yourself to Ease Back into Exercising

If you’re having trouble getting back into exercise and you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s best to start with something simple. If going to the gym to lift weights is too much for you, for example, head outside and go for a walk or a quick jog to get your blood flowing.

Don’t forget to assess your current fitness level. You risk harming yourself if you return to what you were doing before taking that extended break. You’ll want to keep going and get back into your healthy habits as soon as you start with anything little and feel good about it.

On top of that, it’s crucial that you make time in your schedule for rest days. You can alternate between active rest days (when you continue to do some form of active movements, such as a relaxing walk, light stretching, or an enjoyable bike ride) and passive rest days (when you don’t leave your couch). Both are perfectly acceptable and necessary.

Workout Duration Doesn’t Matter

When you’re just getting back into the swing of things, the prospect of completing an entire 30-minute or hour-long workout can be intimidating. As a result, many people give up before they even begin. So, if a long workout is too much for you, limit yourself to five minutes. You can call it a day if you start working out and don’t have the energy to keep going after five minutes.

Determine how much you can handle and commit to exercising for that long. For example, you can commit to exercising for at least 15 minutes each day and use natural energy supplements to help you push to your maximum. Nevertheless, you must exercise with caution and focus on the quality of your workout rather than the duration. Most of the time, once you’re up and moving, you’ll feel good about yourself and want to keep going. Just start with five minutes and see where it takes you.

Schedule Your Workouts

If you’re looking for a way out of the challenge and initial discomfort, you will usually find an opportunity to distract yourself from exercising. That is why it’s critical to set aside time each day for physical activity. Or perhaps you’ll feel more at ease committing to one day per week at first. Make a note on your calendar and try to stick with it.

If you decide to do a little bit every day, pick a time when you won’t be easily distracted. There is no such thing as a “perfect time” to exercise. It all comes down to your personal schedule and preferences. If you know you get caught up at work in the evenings, plan your workouts for the mornings or vice versa. If you know you’re going to have a crazy busy day, just commit to a quick stretch at some point in the day because doing something is always preferable to doing nothing.

Don’t Make Drastic Changes All at Once

When you get back into a fitness routine, you may be tempted to make changes to your eating habits as well. Unfortunately, people frequently become fixated on making too many changes at once. Instead, focus on one thing at a time. Health professionals recommend gradually changing your eating habits over time so that you don’t become overwhelmed and give up out of frustration.

However, if you do want to make some dietary changes, start by adding more water to your daily routine as a first step to ensure you’re hydrated. You’ll definitely need it as you start exercising more because sweating causes mineral loss. More water is an excellent way to replenish your minerals and speed up muscle recovery.

Final Thoughts

The first thing to keep in mind is that falling off track with fitness happens to everyone and that it is possible to restart your workout regimen. Just make it easy and simple, follow our tips, and you will be in shape in no time.