Having a fitness routine enables you to stay strong and healthy as you age. But sometimes, life gets in the way, and things such as an extremely hectic work schedule, an accident, or illness that requires a long bed rest can leave us with no choice but to take a break from our exercise routine. Taking a prolonged break from fitness can have a negative impact on the body: a study has shown that just 60 days without exercising can affect our skeletal, cardiovascular, and neuromascular system. In extreme cases, it may even lead to cardiovascular diseases and osteoporosis. Getting back into exercise and good lifestyle habits should be a priority once you get the all-clear from your doctor, so here are a few simple ways to return to fitness after a long break.
Start slowly
Having unrealistic expectations, such as getting rock-hard abs in a month’s time, or trying to lose all the weight that you gained in a short amount of time can be detrimental if you want to get back into fitness. To stay motivated to stick to your fitness plan, start slow, and have a realistic, doable goal in mind. For instance, you can use resources like this 30-day meal plan to help with getting back in shape fast, and use an eating plan that includes all the necessary food groups so you can stay healthy while losing excess weight. You can also ease into exercise by going on short walks, stretching, and swimming until you’re ready to take on a more rigorous workout routine.
Find an activity that motivates you to get fit
If going to the gym isn’t all that appealing to you, why not find an activity that you enjoy? Doing an exercise that you actually love to do can motivate you to keep on moving, and there are tons of options out there that will help you meet your fitness goals. Consider joining a dance or yoga class, or try aqua cycling, pole fitness, or boxing. You can also try following along to a workout or dance tutorial video on YouTube if you prefer to workout at home, or invest in exercise equipment so you can create a gym in your home.
Gear up to get fit
Having the right gear that makes you look and feel great can boost your self-confidence, and this can encourage you to workout more. Invest in new exercise clothes and running shoes, and pair your outfit with a fitness tracker to monitor your heart rate and blood pressure. Consider getting a new water bottle so you can stay hydrated while you workout, as well as some wireless earbuds so you can listen to music while you’re running or working out in the gym.
Getting back into working out and eating right can be a challenge after a long break, but by taking it slow, making it fun, and gearing up well, you can get back into fitness right away. Try these tips to get back in top form, and always check with your doctor to see if a certain workout or eating plan is right for you before you start.
