How to Start Exercising Again After a Long Break

After a few months, we are back in full swing! Therefore, in today’s post, we will address a subject that hinders many people’s fitness journey: how to get back to training after a long time off?

Before going to the subject, it is important to emphasize that regardless of how long you are sedentary, it is possible to get back on track. It will take time, but believe it: you will get there!

That said, here are some questions and facts to keep in mind when you get back to working out. They will help you to set and reach your goals by choosing an efficient strategy. Let’s go!

Why are you going back to exercising?

Being honest with yourself and understanding your real purposes will help you go even further on your fitness journey. Many people start working out and give up several times throughout their lives, and a lot of this has to do with their purposes and expectations.

If you’re going back to exercising just because you want to have a nice body, or because people annoy you to go back to the gym, you may be on the wrong track. Usually, the search for the perfect body and the impatience to achieve this goal is, possibly, what most discourages people from staying consistent in their fitness journey – since our brain understands that it is difficult and that it will take time.

Remember: by exercising consistently, you will improve your health, your quality of life and, as a result, improve your shape. With each workout, you are closer to becoming healthier and completely changing your life. Exercising is a long-term commitment and you need to have the right reasons to get through the toughest days, especially when you’re feeling unmotivated.

How long have you been sedentary?

Whether you’ve been sedentary for a long time, or are just starting your fitness journey, you need to recognize that you may need professional help. The last thing you want is to get injured when you’re feeling motivated to exercise.

Regardless of the sport or physical activity you choose to get back on track, you will need to start slowly and learn the correct technique for executing the movements. In this sense, having a professional who helps and corrects you, will help you to progress faster, in addition to preventing injuries.

Remember that the human body is extremely complex and that simple activities can recruit different muscles and joints, so it is vital that you know what you are doing. Be realistic with your situation, start slowly, and don’t hesitate to look for your doctor, or a personal trainer to help you with your fitness project. It’s about quality over quantity, always!

What is your availability to work out?

As we’ve discussed in other articles, consistency is one of the key factors that will allow you to achieve your goals – and planning your week will help you to be more consistent. Answer the following questions:

1. What days and times will I exercise this week?
2. How long will my workout be?
3. Can I really fulfil this schedule?
4. Am I willing to give up other habits for my health?

The answers to these questions will definitely help you organize your fitness routine. Be genuine in your answers and create a routine that is attainable considering your reality. When starting working out at the gym, for example, many people set impossible goals – like exercising 6 times a week – and that’s exactly what makes them give up after a short time. Exercise should be an ally, not a reason to get frustrated.

In addition, it is important that you understand that, possibly, you will need to give up some habits to achieve your goals. If you say you don’t have time to workout, but go out with your friends every day, or spend hours watching Netflix, you should question what your priorities are. Initially, exercising will take you out of your comfort zone, and it is extremely important that you accept this.

What kind of exercise will you choose?

Another valuable tip, and that many people ignore, is to choose an activity that you enjoy, or that is suitable for your body. Although many people believe that going to the gym is the only way to maintain their physical condition or to have a nice body, this is far from the truth.

Any type of exercise or physical activity promotes benefits to the human body, as long as it is performed correctly and consistently. This means that the most important thing is that you choose a physical activity that you enjoy, or that makes you happy. You can swim, dance, run, cycle, practice some sport, or do anything that motivates you to be better every day!

Have you ever heard the phrase “choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life”? That’s basically it. Can you imagine choosing a physical activity you don’t like, that will take you out of your comfort zone, and still make you wake up early every day? Choose something you genuinely enjoy, and your fitness journey will become much easier and more enjoyable.

Your diet and habits will be decisive during your fitness journey

Finally, we have to talk about food and habits that are harmful to your health. The truth is that it’s no use working out every day if your diet is poor and you have several habits that harm your metabolism.

You probably have a friend who has been working out for a long time and keeps complaining that he/she can’t build muscle, burn fat, or simply achieve his goals. If you suffer from the same problem, it could be related to your lifestyle. Understand that combining a poor diet with other harmful habits, such as poor sleep quality, alcoholism, smoking, and abuse of toxic substances (such as drugs), harm your progression, in addition to causing severe diseases.

The good news is that we’ve already written several articles on exercising, how to improve your quality of life, health, and nutrition, so there are no excuses. Read our latest posts and start making some changes now!