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Don’t Over Do It When You’re Just Starting Out

Original article found here. 
Exercising for the First Time? Here's Everything You Need to Know

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So you’ve decided to start exercising again. Or maybe you’re going to work out for the first time ever. Either way, congratulations! Exercise has so many benefits for both your mental and physical health. And, if you’re going about it the right way, exercising can be an effective and fun form of self-care. After a while, it might become one of the more enjoyable parts of your day.

You’re probably brimming with questions, and you’re not sure who to ask. Like: How often should you work out? What routine should you try? What should you do when you start to feel like you want to quit?

Taking all of that into account, here is a rundown of everything you need to know before you get started with exercise.

 

Get the right gear

Get the right gear

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If you’ve never exercised before (or if your workout clothes are circa 1983), you might not have the shoes and clothes you need to make your workout a success. Buy comfortable shoes that fit and clothes that allow you to move freely. If you tend to feel self-conscious, avoid clothes that are tight-fitting or that leave you feeling uncomfortable. Think function over fashion. If fashion-forward, bold-print leggings make you feel great, go for it. But if not, then keep in mind: No one at the gym is going to care that you’re not wearing them. The only person that’s going to critique your outfit is you, especially if your mind is stuck on feeling body conscious the entire time. Save the self-confidence work for another day; let the only challenging thing about your first time back at the gym be the physical task at hand.

 

Don’t be intimidated

Don’t be intimidated

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Yes, this is easier said than done. Nothing about your fitness level makes you less worthy; there is no image-related prerequisite for exercising. If anyone thinks less of you because you don’t have chiseled abs, that’s their problem — not yours. The hardest part of conquering gym intimidation is getting through those first couple of visits. Before you know it, you’ll feel comfortable and calm.

 

Expect a learning curve

Expect a learning curve

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That being said, you might not know exactly what you’re doing right away. You might do a couple of squats wrong or drop a few dumbbells before you feel comfortable. But that’s true of any skill. You weren’t born knowing how to ride a bike, and you weren’t born knowing how to do a curtsy squat. Both skills take time to learn — and you will! Whatever type of exercise you decide to take on, expect a learning curve.

 
 

It’s OK if you miss a planned workout

It’s OK if you miss a planned workout

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So what happens if you miss one? The problem isn’t you — it’s the plan. Don’t beat yourself up about it — there’s nothing wrong with missing a planned workout now and again. In fact, many healthy, physically fit people skip workouts they intended to do with some frequency.

Stay hydrated

Stay hydrated

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Bring a water bottle with you and make sure you’re drinking water throughout your session. You’ll probably require more hydration than usual when you’re exercising, because you lose water in the form of sweat. Additionally, your body needs the water to work effectively. If you don’t drink enough water before or during your workout, you’re at risk for muscle cramping and fatigue.

 
 

Always do the warm up

Always include a warm up

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If you’re attending one of my classes, the workout will include a warmup. But if you’re planning your workout on your own, it might not be the first thing on your mind. A warmup is important! It gets blood flowing to your muscles so they have the support they need to work the way you want them to. Perform a light jog or do some simple bodyweight exercises. Warming up beforehand helps prevent injury and maximize performance.

 

Make sure you stretch

Make sure you stretch

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It doesn’t matter whether you’re trying to be flexible or not; after a workout, you should always take the time to stretch out your muscles. Why? One, it improves your range of motion, which makes exercising easier and prevents injury. Two, it helps with your muscles’ recovery. If you walk out of my class without stretching first, you’re going to pay for it tomorrow when you feel sorer as a result. 

Don’t stick to something you hate

Don’t stick to something you hate

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People sometimes talk about exercise as if it’s a necessary punishment or something to be endured. But this mindset towards exercise is actually really unhealthy. Exercise should be something that adds to your life and makes you feel good — not something you’re trudging through resentfully. If you think you hate exercise, you’re probably either not choosing workouts you enjoy or working out for the wrong reasons. Doing workouts you hate is stressful and detracts from your happiness. Trust that there’s exercise out there that you’ll enjoy. You just may not have found it yet!

 

Try new things

Try new things

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Try on a few different types of exercise for size until you find one that fits. Get out there and sample some new, more exciting forms of fitness, such as dance fitness, HIIT, or whatever else piques your interest. They all have their health benefits. Remember that exercise should add to your life, not subtract from it. Find a form of fitness that you genuinely enjoy!

 

Don’t overdo it

Don’t overdo it

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There’s a myth out there that you should only need one rest day a week. While that may be true for some, it’s not true for everyone — and it’s definitely not true if you’re used to not working out at all. Down the road, you may find you can exercise more often. But ease into it at first. Give your body ample time to rest and recover. If you don’t, you’re likely to either suffer from burnout and quit altogether or injure yourself trying not to. In addition to the number of days you’re exercising, keep your workout intensity in mind. Workouts like Tabata and other forms of HIIT can be fun and rewarding, but don’t do these workouts more than a couple of times per week. They require more recovery time than other lower-intensity movements. Some signs you need more rest include fatigue, excessive soreness, constant thirst, feeling like you dread exercise, and high levels of stress and irritability.

 
 
 

Exercise isn’t supposed to hurt

Exercise isn’t supposed to hurt

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Muscle soreness is OK and nothing to fret over. But know that if something starts to hurt while you’re exercising, that is not normal — especially if the pain is sharp and sudden. You should stop what you’re doing and make sure everything is safe before you keep going. You may need to make an adjustment to your movement — such as tightening your abs or rolling your shoulders back — to prevent an injury.

 

Listen to your body

Listen to your body

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Exercise is supposed to improve your health and quality of life. If your body is fighting back, there’s a reason. Tired? Take a rest day. Are your muscles aching? Give them a stretch. Are you feeling restless? Go find some way to move. As you get used to exercising regularly, tune in to what’s happening in your body and honor it. Trust your intuition and that it will lead to better health.

 

It takes time to get used to a routine

It takes time to get used to a routine

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Fitting in the time to work out is an adjustment. It might feel difficult at first to adapt to the routine. Don’t let that discourage you. Expect for it to take time to get used to thinking about where, when, and how you’re going to exercise. Eventually, you’ll fall into a routine that works for you.

 

Don’t fall into the comparison trap

Don’t fall into the comparison trap

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If you’re new to working out, it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing your fitness level with that of those who are working out around you. But don’t let yourself fall down that spiral! You have no clue how long those people have been working at their strength, flexibility, or whatever else it is that catches your envy. And even if you have been working at it for the same amount of time as they have, you are guaranteed to have different levels of ability. Why? Because every person’s body is different. Some people are able to advance more quickly towards certain skills while others take a little more time. Remember that there is nothing superior about that person that allows them their ability — it’s just a difference in experience and body type. And it doesn’t in any way take away from the benefits that you’re receiving from your exercise.

 

Check on your motives

Check on your motives

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So why are you working out in the first place? Is it to lose weight? Is it because you’re ashamed you’re out of shape? If so, you’re not likely to want to keep going. When you exercise, focus on how it makes you feel. If you’re doing it right, it’ll probably feel good — you’ll feel energized, happy, and like you’re taking care of yourself and your body. Your body will feel better having been used, moved, and stretched. You might gain mental clarity or feel calmer. Focus on these benefits. Focus on the reasons you’re exercising that have to do with how you feel today — not in three months when you hope you’ll have dropped five pounds. This shift in mindset will make a huge difference in how you feel during your workouts and after.

 

Fuel your workouts effectively

Fuel your workouts effectively

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When you’re adding exercise to your routine, you may find that you need more food and more rest than usual. And that’s OK! How can you tell you need more food or sleep to adequately support your workouts? Clue in to your body’s signals. Eat when you’re hungry. Skip the gym when you feel worn out. Lack of enjoyment is a clue that you may need something more. If your body isn’t getting what it needs, it’s going to try and fight back. You might have heard that when starting to exercise to get healthy, you should be careful not to eat more so that you achieve a calorie deficit. That is really bad advice — and one of the more common diet mistakes you might be making.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to me! I’m here for you! Follow me on social media, text me or email me. I’m here for you and I want you to feel great and succeed! 

 

XOXOXOX

Lauren