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If you didn’t grow up in an active family or spend nights and weekends on the practice field, it may not feel normal to exercise. Living a sedentary lifestyle can make working out seem foreign and you may have no idea where to start.
Many people avoid starting an exercise routine, despite understanding the benefits, for a variety of reasons. Some don’t know what to do or imagine exercise being hard. Others don’t think they have the time or the ability to adopt a regular exercise routine. The key to starting and sticking with an exercise routine is pretty simple. It’s all about finding what works for you.
What Works for You?
When it comes to being active, consider what sounds attractive to you. Asking yourself a series of questions can help you narrow down the incredibly vast options into something manageable. Here are some questions that can help-
Q? What type of exercise interests you?
Q? Do you prefer to exercise at home or away from home?
Q? Do you enjoy exercise in the morning or evening?
Q? How much time will you commit to exercise each day?
Q? What supports do you need in place to carve out time for exercise?
Q? Do you have any physical limitations to consider before working out?
Once you’ve considered these questions and narrow things down, it’s time to try some activities on for size. You may fall madly in love with the first activity you try or you may try a few before landing on one that suits your needs. That’s part of the fun!
Don’t Compare Yourself to Others
The comparison game can trip you up. Don’t worry about what other people are doing to get and stay fit, focus on your unique situation and enjoy it. Other people may have more stamina, ability, and exceed your current abilities, it’s not a competition. It’s all about meaningful movement…at any age.
Watch Out!
As you develop an exercise routine that works for you, there are a few things to watch out for. Plenty of people start off strong and get immediate results only to taper off and fall short over time. Before long, they are back where they started from. Watch out for-
Boredom- If you find you are bored with your exercise routine, shake things up. Try something new and renew your excitement for being healthy.
Plateaus- If you do the same thing for too long, you may hit a plateau where you aren’t getting the same benefits from your workout. It’s a good time to switch things up or set new goals that help you move through your plateau.
Excuses- It takes twenty-one days to create a new habit, but less than a week to break it. Be sure to keep yourself in check for excuses not to exercise. Exercise should be a lifelong activity and the benefits as we age are undeniable. Be sure to hold yourself accountable and don’t allow yourself to find excuses to stop.
Finding an exercise that works for you isn’t hard. Explore your options and find activities that are fun, interesting, and keep you motivated.
So what are you doing these days for exercise?
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