Reasons to start exercising now
…and how to get going!
“I’ll start in the new year.”, “I’ll wait until after the holidays.” is something many of us hear when someone talks about starting a new fitness journey, especially when we’re nearing the end of the year. But why not begin the journey earlier? Especially with National Fitness Day on the horizon.
If a warning light popped up on your car, you would get it checked as soon as possible. If your phone broke, you wouldn’t wait until next year to get a new one. So why would you let your health and wellbeing wait?
Whether your goal is to build muscle, run a marathon, or simply feel better within yourself, the earlier you start, the earlier you will reach that goal.
Each person is different, meaning there are many reasons out there to get moving. We’ve put some below that may resonate with or motivate you:
To tackle procrastination
If we don’t have the motivation to exercise, it’s much harder to engage with it, which can make us defer the task at hand. But anything is better than nothing, and it’s important to find an activity you enjoy and a routine that works for your lifestyle. Perhaps that could be a 30 minute swim in the morning, one of our classes after work, or even getting some guidance from our team about gym programmes. The time is going to pass anyway, so you may as well make use of it!
To socialise more
Buddying up with someone can be a great way to stay motivated. Having that extra person with you in the gym or a group workout class can help you encourage each other and have someone to share your triumphs with. If this doesn’t suit you, you could simply go for a walk together. Keeping active with somebody else also means there’s an extra person to hold you accountable and keep you pushing!
To combat health conditions
Staying active boosts the good kind of cholesterol – high-density lipoprotein (HDL) – which keeps your blood flowing and reduces your risk of cardiovascular diseases. It’s also been medically proven that people who do regular physical activity have lower risk of depression, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and osteoarthritis.
To sleep better
Struggling to get some shut-eye? The science behind it is pretty simple! Exercise raises your core body temperature, which tells your body clock that it’s time to be awake. Once this temperature starts to fall, it facilitates sleepiness. People who engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise may see a difference in sleep quality that same night.
We realise that getting started isn’t the easiest of feats, that’s why we’re here to help. Everybody was a beginner once!
Here are some tips to help you get going:
Pair your workout with a hobby
Combining the two is particularly important if you want to find ways to enjoy keeping active, and more importantly, build a routine from it!
Consider hiring a Personal Trainer
Anyone can benefit from having a PT as their work is so personal. Even if you only have a couple of sessions, or meet a few times a month, it can be beneficial to discover new workouts and equipment to try while you’re getting started.
Focus on form rather than intensity
Not only will proper form lower your risk of injury, but it will also help you move more efficiently, both of which can keep you consistent. Doing too much too soon can be mentally and physically overwhelming, and may even set you back on your activity goals.
Log your progress, whether that’s in a diary or through a health & fitness app.
Thanks to technology, tracking your progress is becoming even easier. Doing so can help you figure out what kind of activity you want to focus on, and allows you to be more time-efficient once you get started. Reflecting on your progress also lends more accountability to reaching and excelling your goals!
Remember to nail good nutrition
Food is fuel - not only your activity sessions, but also for your long-term health. When physically active, your body will use up more energy, meaning you’ll need to replace that energy deficit with a balanced diet. Don’t forget to stay hydrated too!
Don’t forget to warm up and cool down before and after each session!
Preparation and recovery are just as important as working out. Warming up before you start exercising can help to lessen muscle soreness and reduce your risk of injury, while cooling down regulates your blood flow and allows for a gradual recovery of heart rate and blood pressure.
It’s never too late to reach your fitness goals, whatever they may be. Changing or adopting one small thing is the best first step to success.
Sources: Beginner exercise tips: 6 important pieces of advice for new gym-goers to train (Stylist) | How to Start Exercising: A Beginner’s Guide to Working Out (Healthline) | Resolved to work out more in 2023? What science says about sticking to it (CBC) | This Is Why Most New Year’s Fitness Plans Don’t Work—And How to Ensure They Do (Vogue) |Benefits of exercise (NHS) | Exercising for Better Sleep (Hopkins Medicine) | Exercise: 7 benefits of regular physical activity (Mayo Clinic)| Aerobic Exercise: How to warm up and cool down (Mayo Clinic) | Nutrition for sports and exercise (British Nutrition Foundation) | How to Track Your Fitness Progress Without Relying on the Scales (Make Use of)