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You’ve decided to embrace on workout journey. Congratulations!

But now you may face a big question: How to prepare yourself to exercise effectively?

Don’t worry! Here are some tips for getting ready to work out and for keeping yourself motivated.

Preparing For Your Exercise Routine

  1. Consult your doctor. If you haven’t been active for a while, talk to your doctor about it. Especially, people over 50 and those with severe health conditions need to pay special attention. Practical exercises are available for almost every fitness level, so take safety precautions to keep yourself safe during the workouts.
  2. Identify your goals. The most effective way to stay motivated is to set clear and realistic goals. Taking a baseline will also give you an idea of how well you are doing. Perhaps you would like to lose weight or train for a marathon.
  3. Shop for shoes. You need athletic shoes to take part in any exercise regime. Make sure you purchase shoes made for the activity you want to do, whether that is golfing or running. Depending on how often you run, you should replace them every 4-6 months if you show a lot of wear and tear.
  4. Set up your equipment. If you are thinking about exercising at home, you should invest in some equipment to let you do so comfortably. Purchase an exercise ball or get a treadmill. Even if your space is limited, you can still do strength training at home with free weights.

Choosing an Exercise Program 

  1. Create a balanced program. Exercises that combine strength, flexibility, and aerobic activity make up a well-rounded workout regime. During each session, give yourself some time to warm up and cool down.
  2. Gradually increase your workload. Be sure that your efforts are of high quality. You can increase the duration and intensity of your workouts once you have mastered good form with some basic exercises. You will be less likely to become injured if you maintain a sensible approach.
  3. Organize your schedule around activities that work for you. To achieve optimum results, you’ll need to exercise for about 30 minutes a day with plenty of rest and recovery days. You can schedule exercises before or after work or combine brief workout sessions.

Maintaining Your Exercise Program

  1. Variety is key. By varying your workout routine, you will keep it interesting. For example, swimming and tennis could be alternated. If you have more time on the weekends, you can run in the park when you don’t have to worry about running on your treadmill during the workday.
  2. Take a chance on something new. Take on a new challenge to rejuvenate your spirit. How about enrolling in rock climbing or dancing classes. Choose an exercise video from the internet or check out the library’s selection. If you’re a big fan of Netflix, head to the app and watch exercise videos instantly on-demand.
  3. Don’t be alone. Having a fitness buddy will enable you to support each other. You can join your local community center for mother and baby exercise classes and meet new friends.
  4. Take time to reward yourself. When you keep up with your exercise routine, reward yourself with healthy foods rather than fattening ones. Purchasing more petite jeans or trying a new exotic fruit can be some great ideas to treat yourself.
  5. Enjoy yourself. Keeping exercise fun and enjoyable makes it a lot easier. Choose the activities you enjoy. When you need time off, allow yourself reasonable time. 

Final Thought

Creating an exercise routine that works for you will help you start the workout journey less stressful. Always take it easy. The more fun you have, the more healthy and attractive you are.