How to Safely Start (AND stick with!) a New Years Resolution
Can you believe it’s already 2022?!?
We’re having trouble processing this 😜. As we reflect on the past year and look forward to what the new year will bring, we’re thinking about fitness and exercise related goals for ourselves in the new year. We know many of you will be doing so as well! If you plan on setting an exercise-related new year’s resolution, here are some tips on how to go about doing so safely.
Ramp up. Going from zero to one hundred is a sure fire way to find yourself in a pickle! Choose a time or volume challenge that is based on your current level of fitness, and then work up from there.
Variety. If your goal is to get your mileage up, improve your speed, or to increase days or time spent training, go do yo thang! But make sure to incorporate strength and mobility training into your routine as well to maximize your performance and minimize your risk of injury.
Rest days. Recovery is important! When we push our tissues too far past what they are used to, we can end up decreasing our bodies ability to perform and put ourselves at risk for injury. Resting allows for our tissues to replenish energy reserves and adequately recover from physical activity.
Proper nutrition. Increasing physical activity by a substantial amount means that your body will be using more energy, which you need to make sure to account for! Make sure you are eating and hydrating well to accommodate your new exercise regimen.
Listen to your body. One thing we’ve noticed is that a lot of our clients have a good sense of the difference between muscle fatigue/work and injury-related pain. So listen to your instincts! If you feel sharp or persistent aches and pains with your new exercise regimen, don’t wait to talk to a movement specialist.
Find an accountability buddy. It’s so much easier for us to show up and stick with a new routine if we have someone to do it with! Whether it’s signing up for a class at a specific time, joining a run club, or picking up a friend (coffee in hand, of course!) on your way to the trail, it’s true that those who workout together stick together…and stick with it!
Happy New Year!