There’s no denying that life is crazy busy, especially at the start of a new year. When you come to think about it, our bodies and minds are pretty damn incredible. Everyday they juggle a myriad of conscious and subconscious tasks.
With so much going on it’s only normal that from time to time aspects of our life will take a hit. More often than not, we prioritise other tasks to please others and looking after ourselves is pushed to the back-burner.
For each of us, the way in which we look after ourselves will differ, however for many of us, movement is something we recognise as a self-care activity. When it’s been a while since we last moved our bodies, the thought of getting back into it can be seriously daunting, we completely understand! Knowing that so many of us experience this, we thought we’d share our top tips on getting back into exercise.
1. Choose a movement that you enjoy.
Exercise shouldn’t be a punishment nor should it fill you with dread (well, maybe sometimes when you’ve got a round of burpees or wall hip raises coming up…). But, on a more serious note, you should move in a way that leaves your mind and body feeling content and fulfilled – for some of us that might be a leisurely stroll and for others it might be an intense HIIT workout.
Regardless of your style, getting back into exercise by picking movements that you enjoy will help you to build and maintain a routine, be something you look forward to and feel motivated to commit to regularly.
2. Take it slow.
When it’s been a while and you’re just starting up again don’t run before you can walk – it takes time to re-build strength and fitness. Too often when we say we want to get back into movement we go out too hard and too fast without actually letting our bodies readjust. This could not only lead to injuries but could also leave you feeling discouraged and in turn, make you want to give up before you’ve even truly started!
By taking it slow and setting yourself small and realistic goals suited to your abilities, not only will you feel more accomplished, but you’ll feel more encouraged to continue moving your body because you know you can achieve what you set out to do.
If you’ve made the first step of joining KIC to help you get back into it, we have recently launched KIC Programs – our progressive programs tailored to all fitness levels to help you achieve your goals. Our KICSTART 4 Week Program will help you master the basics, before your move onto our KICFIT 8 Week Program to help you level up and improve your form, and then there is our KICPRO 12 Week Program to intensify your training with progressive overload and shorter rest periods. What ever your level, we’ve got you covered!
3. Find a workout buddy.
Let’s be real, with the hustle and bustle of day to day life, it can be super hard to fit everything in (and this is often a reason movement gets neglected). So, why not schedule in some movement with a loved one?! Whether it be a walking catch up with a friend, a strength session with a gym buddy or a zoom workout with the gang, having someone to not only workout with but keep you accountable is of immense benefit when getting back into routine.
We also have our incredible KIC Facebook Community where you can connect with other beautiful souls, share workouts tips and even tee up a virtual or IRL workout – regardless when you’re part of the KIC community you’ll be sure to never feel alone when getting back into exercise.
4. Remember the importance of rest.
Our bodies need rest and it’s SO important for recovery especially when getting back into movement and using muscles we haven’t engaged in a little while. It’s highly likely that our bodies may pull up a little stiff and sore, so it’s imperative that you allow your body time to heal.
If you’re someone who wants to stick to a particular routine, instead of pushing through multiple full body workouts with sore muscles, try splitting your movement to different muscle groups (i.e. upper body and lower body) or even having an active rest day where you simply walk. You’ll feel SO much better going into your next workout rested.
5. Plan.
Planning when we are going to move our bodies is seriously important as often it’s lacking and the reason we find ourselves reading tips like these! Going through the motions of adding in your workouts to your calendar, even if it is only once a week, but making it a non-negotiable, will help you establish good habits and routine. By doing this, it leaves you less likely to neglect it or forget your movement (especially if it’s with a workout buddy) and in turn leaving you less likely to fall back into old habits!
6. Remember your WHY.
Motivation won’t always show up, and that’s completely normal. Remind yourself of the core reason why you need to move. Whether it be for your mental health, for that endorphin rush or for your physical heath, reverting your thinking back to your WHY will help keep your head in the game.
We hope that these tips will assist you to make the transition back to movement and self-care easier, more informed and gentle.
Don’t forget to believe in yourself for you are so much stronger and more capable than you think.
Love,
KIC x
Let’s make 2023 your best year yet! It’s your year, your GOALS. We’re here to help you level up, create healthy habits and prioritise your best self, and Steph will show you how!
We chatted with Leo about the importance of moving your body to support your mental health and got his tips for how to tackle those days were motivation is lacking.
Laura shares some of her favourite KIC workouts which she loves doing at those times when she’s not feeling overly motivated to move. These KIC masterclasses are more gentle and lower impact yet never fail to leave you feeling elated from the endorphin rush.