I have just had two weeks off over the festive period when my services shut down. But as that time came towards an end I was starting to get messages from current and new clients who felt they had really fallen off the wagon in terms of their exercising. They'd not moved much from the sofa, over indulged a little and maybe put on some weight. Sound familiar?
Now is the time when we start reflecting on our goals for the year ahead with regard to our health and fitness and what changes we may need to make to achieve those goals. You’re no doubt seeing so many posts on social media and adverts on television at the moment, bombarding you with images of what to most of us seem like unachievable body shapes and perfect lifestyles. Often these images can have quite the opposite effect to what is intended. They fill us with negative thoughts that lead to new year fitness resolutions being made and then just as quickly broken, very often before we’ve even got to the end of January.
Why is this? Let’s try and break this cycle by having a look at my 5 top tips on how to get back into the habit of moving again in a way that will work all year long.
1. ACCEPTANCE: It was a few weeks in your life that you chose to enjoy with family and friends over the festive period. That does not mean all that hard work you did before has gone to waste. Accept it will come back when you focus back in, quite quickly if it has only been a two week break. It's important not to be too hard on yourself.
2. HABIT: this is not a quick fix we are looking for. We are trying to create or rebuild a habit that just becomes part of your life. Exercise needs to be included in your routine, just like brushing your teeth. So take your time to build this habit slowly but surely so that it sticks.
3. CONSISTENCY: Many of my clients want to achieve a goal. For some it may be to build strength or have less pain; for others to be able to walk further. Whatever your goal and however small you start, work on it consistently, frequently and build up gradually. That is where the difference will come from. Ad hoc moments of movement will not achieve anything.
4. BE REALISTIC: One thing I am proud of with all my clients is that they have made very realistic goals in an even more realistic time frame. There is no point in expecting to relieve all your pain and lose 20kg in a month when movement overall is difficult for you. Take ONE step at a time and you will get there.
5. ENJOY: Enjoy this process of getting moving again. It doesn’t have to be something you hate, and if you do then you need to change the way you exercise. Exercise needs to be a way for you to not only build your strength and endurance, but to release those lovely happy hormones. You should feel good afterwards. Remember exercising is a habit we are trying to build, so it needs to be fun and enjoyable.
I am passionate about helping people to get moving again, no matter where they are starting from. With the right support it really can make a huge difference to your quality of life.
If you would like to know more then please get in touch: kksaggu@1ststeprfs.com or call 07846597460 and we will be happy to help.