Exercise is an important aspect of maintaining both physical and mental health. Not only does it help to keep our bodies strong and fit, but it also has numerous benefits for our minds. In this blog, we will explore the many ways in which exercise can improve our mental and physical well-being and why it is so important to make it a part of our daily routines. Whether you are just starting out on your fitness journey or are an experienced athlete, there are plenty of reasons to get moving and start reaping the benefits of regular exercise.
Surviving Christmas
The mental and physical benefits of exercise have stood by over Christmas, but hopefully, you have had a chance to take it easy and take a break. Taking breaks is essential for keeping yourself motivated. It is good to rest on your laurels and take a necessary rest to recover and regain your energy. Christmas is the perfect time to do this.
Now that we are into the new year, it is time to get back into the swing of things and add exercise as part of your daily routine. Below are some tips on getting back into a workout routine.
Plan time for your sessions
We recommend going back to the gym as soon as you go back to your everyday working life. Ensure you plan time into your week for your sessions. You have built up your fitness, now start working to maintain and build it up. This way, you build on old habits rather than forcing yourself to build entirely new habits (New Year’s resolutions only ever stick if they are built into your life, rather than demanding you to build your life around them).
Vary your workouts
Make sure to fit in time for easy workouts if hard sessions just don’t sound appealing to you. It is perfectly normal to feel as though you have lost all your fitness, leanness and muscle you have worked so hard for over the year. But the truth is that you will bounce back very quickly after your break.
Join a gym
It can be hard to motivate yourself during the cold, wet nights, especially if you have previously relied on walking or running outdoors. Now is the perfect time to join the gym and start a good routine. Remember to take it easy, though. The January nights are long, and the days still close in early, making it difficult for you to schedule regular workout sessions outdoors. Be sure you have your set days in the gym, or maybe even join a fitness class to keep you motivated.
New Year’s Resolutions: yay or nay?
Suppose you have made any New Year’s resolutions. In that case, the only way they’re going to stick is if you make sure you’re not asking yourself to form entirely new habits this month. This means not getting up at 5 am when you’re really not a morning person, or ditching a lifetime’s worth of poor eating habits by going cold turkey on takeaways and sweets. It’s not going to happen overnight.
Instead, rather than trying to reinvent yourself now, allow your body time to ease into new healthy habits. Use the tips above and join an easy session in the gym. For simple, delicious healthy recipes to incorporate into your weekly meal plan, check out the Gym Plus recipe section under resources to help you!
Remember, be kind to yourself, allow yourself to feel good about your achievements, and don’t expect too much too soon. Every step you take towards a healthier life this year will stand for you.
