Exercise can be an intimidating word. Exercise is often associated with a strict workout plan where people need to block hours of their day to go to the gym, run on a treadmill, lift weights, and follow an intensive diet to reap the full benefits. While this works well for some, more often than not, it is a daunting start for people who are looking to add a little more movement into their day. But it can be simple. By definition, exercise is any planned movements of physical activity. This can include things like walking the dog, going for a hike on one of the many beautiful trails the Okanagan, joining a kick boxing class, or even going for a bike ride along the greenway. With so many options, how do you know where to start? Here are our top 3 tips for starting a new exercise plan!
Top 3 Tips for Starting a New Exercise Plan:
1. Find an activity you love (and do it more)
This might seem to simple, find an activity you love, and do it more. With so many opportunities and options when it comes to movement and exercise, there’s no reason you should feel like you have to do something you don’t enjoy. Especially since if you don’t enjoy something, chances are you are not going to stick with it. Start by trying new things when it comes to movement, search for different fitness studios in your area, ask friends what they like to do in their spare time, and/or search for online fitness videos aimed around things you like (an example, if you like to dance, there are Youtube videos you can follow along to that will not only teach you but also double as a ‘workout’).
Did you know Orthoquest has an app? In the app you will have access to a variety of live, online fitness classes, pre-recorded classes you can access anytime, workout plans, and connect with a group of other like-minded fitness enthusiasts who are there to cheer you on along the way! To join, simply download the app (you can find it in the app store by searching “Move Well by Orthoquest”), create an account and discover new ways to move.
2. Find times that work for you and hold yourself accountable
If you aren’t a morning person, don’t plan your exercise in the morning, set yourself up for success from the start by scheduling times to exercise when it works best in your schedule. But the key to this is to hold yourself accountable. There is always going to be a reason not to go, so focus on the reasons you should go! Again, if you do activities you love, you’ll feel more energized and excited to go.
3. Injuries happen, don’t let them slow you down
If you do have an injury, seeing a Kinesiologist is an important piece towards sticking with your exercise plan. Kinesiolgoists are University Graduated students who are specialized in health and exercise science. Their job is to help facilitate proper movements, prescribe exercise, and promote overall health and wellbeing. Thus resulting in the ability to treat chronic and acute injuries. Kinesiologists create programs to enhance the client’s recovery by using movement as the primary tool. They analyze and assess functional movements through a variety of tests and assessments to further adapt personalized exercise programs specifically designed for the individual. These fully personal exercise programs will enhance and restore range of motion for the client. Kinesiologists focus not only on rehabilitation of injury, as well prevention of any other injuries in the future.
If exercise is something you are looking to do more of, don’t let it be daunting. Start simple: find an activity you love (and do it more), find times that work for you and hold yourself accountable, know that injuries happen but you don’t have to let them slow you down. But more importantly, enjoy every step of the way!
