Has anyone ever told you to just get up and start moving with our acupuncture appointment.
The main question to ask first is: what’s holding you back? Is it injury? stiffness? laziness? Not knowing what to do? Scared of injuring yourself? There might be lots of other reasons why you haven’t been moving recently.
It’s all good and well to want to become more active, but if you have been injured, or haven’t done anything for a long time, you have to be careful.
Exercise is good for everyone, however, you need to build up the intensity over a period of time. The last thing you want is to push so hard that you can’t move for a few days after a session. There might be a saying going round stating ‘No pain, no gain’. However, I don’t tend to agree with that one.
If you haven’t done anything recently or just recovering from injury, then walking is a great way to get started.
Initially on flat, then introduce some hills into you walk. Go out for longer. Up the speed. However, even for walking it’s important to wear good shoes. Too often people get ankle, knee, hip or back injuries just from walking around in bad shoes. So if walking becomes your exercise of choice, make sure you buy shoes that support your efforts.
And for any of us ladies out there, do wear a good support bra.
One question I always get asked: “What’s the best exercise one can do?” And my answer always surprises everyone!
The best exercise one can do, is one that you will enjoy doing. If you enjoy doing something, the chances of sticking to it, being consistent is much higher than if you hate it.
So if it’s walking, swimming, ballrooom dancing, cycling, exercise class, playing tennis, badminton, or anything else, ask yourself the question: do I like it enough to be consistent and regular? If the answer is yes, you found your sport.
How often does one need to exercise?
Ideally you would want to be active every day. If you have a strenuous session on one day, allow your body to recover the following day, but still move. And depending on your goal, the number of sessions will vary.
Don’t forget to stretch at the end of every session.
This is something most people forget. They start exercising, or do something that is not perceived as exercise (such as gardening), and then don’t stretch. The next day is agony.
Take 5-10 minutes (or longer) every day to stretch.
So, what are you waiting for? Get moving….
If you’re still worried, or know you will struggle, the get in touch with a professional like me. We will make sure to ease you into exercise and push you along the way to achieve the results you would like to achieve.
Anne Iarchy is owner of A1 Fitness Personal Training based in the Barnet area, North London. She specialises in helping with eating and lifestyle habits, and encouraging a healthier lifestyle through weight loss. You can find out more by visiting her website: http://www.barnetpersonaltrainer.co.uk/
