Starting an exercise routine is a question that lingers in our minds everyday as we go about the grinds of daily life. When we stand in the mirror in the morning, it is not uncommon to notice some disproportion somewhere, then the thought comes perhaps I should exercise more. Or sometimes you got the information from a doctor that you should exercise or may be every one keeps rubbing it in your face that you are overweight.
This is the best place to start from. Remember the benefits of exercise extend beyond just aesthetics. It is a prerequisite to good brain function; studies have consistently shown that exercise reduces the rate of cognitive decline as you age. Exercise maintains the health of the heart by improving the contractility of the heart and lowering the blood pressure among many other benefits. I will write a whole other article about this. Keep tabs. Once you begin to exercise regularly, you have chosen a path to wellness.
So now that we are here. How do we proceed? Firstly, Identify the kind of workouts that would work for you with the help of your trainer. You can choose home workouts, outdoor workouts or even going to the gym. If you are a beginner or you are looking to lose weight, I would suggest that you go to the gym. Only consider the two other options when you have accountability. Accountability comes about when you talk to your trainer, define your goals and you let him or her hold you accountable. The next is the trade off that you have to make economically, there is no way you are going to pay say 3k per month and not expect to utilize it. You must suffer the pain of this expense. But don’t forget that the person you are ultimately accountable to is you.
Next, show up to the routine that you have now set for yourself. If you want a bomb day at work, then mornings are a good pick. If you love your sleep sound at night, then evening is still a pick. Whatever works for you. Again, you have to be sure that it is well blended in your routine so that you have adequate time for warm up and cool down. Most of the time, people blame busy work schedules as the reason for not working out, but once you have a consistent routine, you will realize that this was all a lie.
When you start your workouts, recognize that it is going to be a struggle. You are taming your mind to conform to your new routine, so a little revolt here or there is expected in the teething stages. It is definitely going to get easier as you get to do more of it. Always listen to your instructors before attempting a new work out to get to enjoy the experience fully and to avoid injuries. The techniques of your workouts also matter, just as the duration. For example, most back workouts require that you arch your back inwards to avoid injury to the spine.
Most trainers will offer to give exercises in graded fashion, increasing the work load as we get fitter. Endeavour to try as much as possible to complete the whole workout session. This will give you a sense of accomplishment due to the released dopamine and endorphins. Positive feedback to the brain. More positive feedbacks will keep you at it every single day. After your workout, remember to clean your workout equipment and arrange them well for the one coming next.
It is important to realize that exercise doesn’t work alone in our fitness journey. Purpose to alter your diet by avoiding a lot of carbohydrates, junk and processed foods like soda which contain empty calories. Fixing your diet makes you get results quite fast. In fact, the battle with weight loss is mainly won in the kitchen.
As we conclude, remind yourself of Rome. It wasn’t built in one day. And therefore, don’t expect to get results immediately; the process is the results, trust the process. And when you notice the first change, it wouldn’t be long before another.
