how to get back into exercise after a break
Whether you’ve fallen out of the habit of regular exercise, or just taken a break from a specific activity, getting back into it can be super difficult and kind of disheartening. If you follow along on social, you’ll know I was really feeling that way with running after Copenhagen Marathon. After taking a little time out, the very idea of ~going for a run~ suddenly felt really overwhelming so I just kept putting it off. And then it becomes this major hurdle that becomes a really big deal in your head.
The secret to success is consistency. Little and often, because when you make something a habit, it's easier to keep up. But how do you get back to that point? Having just struggled with getting my own groove back, I thought I’d share some tips for getting back into exercise after taking a break…
easy does it
I’ve gone from running 42km to struggling like hell over 3km. When you take a break from something, for however long, you’ve got to expect not to go back into it at exactly the place you were. Go easy on yourself. Start simple (otherwise it’s going to feel crazy daunting) and let yourself get back into the swing of things naturally, pushing yourself as much as feels right to build it up again. I haven’t ran more than 10km yet (and do have a marathon in September!) but I’m focusing on little and often right now to get back in that habit, ‘yes I do love running’ mentality!
don’t beat yourself up
Most importantly, don’t be too hard on yourself! Chances are you’ve been taking a break because you’ve been focusing on other things, or other aspects of your life have been taking up more time and focus, and that’s okay. Sometimes too, your body just wants a bit of a break. It’s great to want to get back into the swing of things, and as soon as you get over the hurdle and make it a habit, you’re golden.
classes are a great kick up the bum!
If you do a great class that leaves you feeling alive, you’re gonna want to go back again, and again, and there you have it: your mojo back. Find a class or a workout that you actually love and let yourself be obsessed with it for a bit to get back in your groove. Course, classes can be super expensive and they’re not something I personally can really justify financially for long, but they are amazing for giving you a real kick up the bum and do tend to leave you feeling electric, so maybe it’s that you just do two or three for that initial boost. Spinning is the ultimate VIBES workout that’s just gets you moving and dripping in sweat whether you like it or not. I love Psycle and would definitely recommend their classes. Otherwise, how about a free trial of Class Pass to get you moving? Loads of yoga studios do 30-day introductory trials for great value too, which would deffo get you back on track.
save Saturday mornings for Park Run
I’ve only got good things to say about Park Run, the free 5km running initiative that takes place every Saturday morning in hundreds of parks across the country (there’ll definitely be one near you!). It’s an amazing way to get yourself back into running. You don’t have to be a runner. You can walk. You can stop, sit on a bench, keep going when you feel like it. There are dogs, dads, sprinters, walkers, kids, and everything in between. The energy is always super positive and there’s a real sense of community. Go, give it a whirl, walk a bit, run a bit, improve week on week. It’s free. It’s fun. And it’s gonna get you moving again.