Working Out for Beginners

Yes you! Even if you have never worked out a day in your life, it is never too late to safely incorporate exercise into your daily routine. As long as you take it slow and make sure to listen to your body, any time can be the right time to get started on the road to a healthier lifestyle.

Exercise is so powerful it can change your life. It has been shown to significantly improve health by helping to achieve and maintain a healthy body weight, increase muscle mass and reduce the risk of chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes and even certain cancers. It can also do wonders for emotional well being since it can lift mood, help keep energy levels up and even improve sleep.

Where Do I Start?

The first step should always be consulting your doctor to make sure exercise is recommended for you. Once you get the all clear, do your research!  Set a plan with realistic goals, and learn all about the options.  Between aerobic, strength, flexibility, stability workouts and more, there’s so much to choose from. The key is finding what you enjoy, so you stay on track.  

Taking on something new like exercise can seem daunting, but the hardest part is actually getting started. Once you understand the benefits of a regular exercise regimen, you will wonder why it took so long to get on board.  

PPB Tip: Grab a friend to workout with to help keep you accountable and motivated.  

Tipping the Scales

Once you are ready, here are a few tips to follow:

• Stay Hydrated - Hydrating before, during and after exercise is important for performance, and for recovering after a workout. 

• Optimize Nutrition - A balanced, healthy diet will help sustain energy levels and get the most out of your workouts. 

• Warm Up -  Properly warming up can help prevent injuries, maximize performance, improve flexibility and help reduce soreness.

• Cool Down - Taking a couple of minutes to cool down can help restore normal blood circulation and breathing patterns and even reduce the chance of muscle soreness.

Hitting Your Stride

Exercise is a personal thing. What works for one person may not for another. Bottom line is listen to your body. If you’re new to working out, be mindful of your limits. Working out harder and faster is not necessarily better. Pushing through pain is never a good idea, as it can lead to injuries. So, stop and rest if you feel any pain or discomfort.

Starting a new exercise routine can be challenging. The key to staying motivated and making exercise a habit is finding what you enjoy. This will have you looking forward to your next workout instead of dreading it. And, once you see the changes that start happening to your mind and body, you will be more likely to keep it up long term. So get out there and have fun. You never know how strong you are until you try.