From a Timeout to a Workout: How Women Can Get Back in the Game After a Break From Exercise
Staying true to a fitness program is precarious enough, even more so when you’ve had to take time off. As a hardworking woman, there are all kinds of reasons you may have stepped away, whether it's an illness or a recent pregnancy. Though it might feel impossible to get back into a workout routine, you certainly can. By appreciating the importance of exercise, eating a healthy diet, using the right gear, finding a workout partner, and varying your routines, you can get yourself back in the swing of things.
Importance of exercise
So many of us think we’re getting enough exercise by living our lives: work, errands, and kids all require a lot of time and emotion. But as the Mayo Clinic outlines, there are both immediate and long-term benefits to regular dedicated workouts. In terms of day-to-day, week-to-week, exercise improves your mood, promotes better sleep, and boosts your energy. On a grander scale, it can prevent weight gain as well as fight off health threats like Type 2 Diabetes, arthritis, depression, and stroke. The best part is that you can do exercises at home. You can include the entire family, promoting a healthy lifestyle for your kids.
The right diet
A healthy diet is an important part of any workout regimen. If you like a more organized approach, Whole Foods offers a huge variety of meal plans that can help you set up an entire week of healthy eating. You can experiment with all kinds of meals, letting your family choose their favorites to add to the regular rotation. If you prefer to plan your meals yourself, the internet has an endless amount of options to choose from. Shake it up with various styles: vegan, paleo, and plant-based are all excellent options.
The right gear
An important part of exercising is wearing the right athletic wear. Your activewear shouldn’t be too tight or restricting; you should have a full range of motion while wearing it. Compression clothing is great because it stimulates blood flow in the body, but if it’s too small, it can actually restrict blood flow. Some popular favorites include compression leggings or high-waisted leggings that move with you, as well as wicking tanks and tees to help with sweat.
The ideal bra
Why do we bring this up? Because it’s essential to feel super supported during your workouts. And we don’t mean a regular bra, as it won’t provide the kind of support you need when working out. Take the time to shop around for the right sports bra that offers the coverage and comfort you need. If you have a larger bust, not to worry! You can find supportive bras for hard to fit sizes through preferred online retailers that specialize in offering a range of sizes, from 30B - 46I.
Be sure to check out bras with adjustable straps so you can get the perfect fit for your bust type.
Find the right workout buddy
There are many reasons that having an exercise buddy is beneficial. You never know what you can learn from a partner, and you can come up with new routines together. A partner can help you keep correct form, an especially important perk is that they can also keep you safe. Not only with form, but with activities like hiking, mountain biking, and weight lifting. An exercise buddy also increases your accountability. If you’re supposed to go running with your buddy at 7 a.m., they’re depending on you and it’s harder to bail.
Mix up your exercise routine
If you’re doing the same routine repeatedly, you’re probably going to get bored. You might even hit a plateau with your workout. This means that your body is used to that routine, and so your progress is leveling out instead of moving forward. You need to challenge yourself to try new things. If you’re a gym member, take different kinds of exercise classes. If you’re not a gym member, find different styles of workout videos online.
Don’t let your gap in working out discourage you from getting back on track. Always bear in mind the importance of exercise and eating a healthy diet. Invest in the right workout gear and a few great bras to ensure maximum comfort. And choose a fitness buddy, and vary your routines to ease your way back in. It’s that easy, and you can do it!
Article by Annabelle Harris of elders.center
Annabelle Harris is a writer, wife, mother, and grandmother. She started blogging nearly a decade ago when she was still facing the prospect of retirement and old age. She was terrified and needed an outlet for her thoughts, fears, and uncertainties. It was through her first blog that she found the support of a community that truly helped her through the process of aging.
Photo Credit: Pexels