Rediscover Your Exercise Routine

A beautiful late February day for running, walking or biking in Lakes Park (Fort Myers). Photo Courtesy of Charly Caldwell II.

We're two months into 2022, and...

People have been asking how to restart their fitness program!

If your last workout feels like a distant memory, do not despair.

Now is a perfect time to find your way back into a fitness routine.

However, be mindful. You don’t need to rush into it head first.

By doing a little planning and adopting a gradual approach, you will reduce your risk of injury and perhaps even get a little more enjoyment from it.

First, be realistic.

If you’ve ever taken a break from exercise (holiday, injury), you know trying to fit the weeks you have missed into the first two weeks back doesn’t work.

I have an adage I use in these situations:

‘It’s not about where you’ve been, it’s about where you’re going.’

When it comes to the cardio, go easy on yourself here too.

This means being able to do a workout while you can hold a conversation, with some puffing, for 30 - 45 minutes.

The treadmill is a great tool to help reestablish your pacing.

Rowers, bikes and elliptical trainers are also excellent low impact options, and you can push the intensity as your fitness improves.

Next, everyone knows it can be difficult to keep up a routine.

To boost your motivation and accountability, why not try personal training or a group fitness class?

They are excellent choices if you want the added benefit of a trained professional to guide you through a motivational and effective workout.

They offer great return and results for your time and often give you that motivational boost you need to keep going strong.

Next, and this one is critical, because failing to plan is planning to fail.

Set a schedule.

As simple as it sounds, carving time out of your day just for you needs to be done.

Be realistic with your schedule, and don’t forget to include rest, recovery and the key three fundamentals of self-care.

Get plenty of sleep to allow your body to recover and grow. If you are re-introducing exercise, you need quality sleep.

Reduce stress by making time for you. Schedule in ‘you’ time.

Good nutrition will help make your workouts more effective.  

Good food is the building block for good health and if you choose mostly whole foods and drink plenty of water, your body will thank you for it.

Finally, don’t feel like you must do it all on your own.

There are plenty of resources available to help you on your journey. 

If you’re not quite sure where to start, talk with a health care provider to help get you back on track.

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Let's go on this journey together and change your life as always, “Practice with Purpose and Live with Passion!

Angie Ferguson is an exercise physiologist and Tony Robbins Results Coach from Fort Myers, Florida. She also is a Corrective Biomechanics Specialist, USA Triathlon Advanced Level 2 coach, USA Cycling coach, has a Specialty in Sports Nutrition certification, and a PhD in results!