As we’re stretching and limbering up for the new year, we reluctantly tear ourselves away from Christmas. Then we have to decide what exercise will redeem us of our sins. This is where the hard graft will kick in.
One option is signing up to a gym…
… Normally local for convenience. You pay monthly, that way you’re committed. Otherwise you have to call your bank to cancel gym payments, I’m sure we’ve all been there before.
Now with the gym, you get a variety of professional equipment like a treadmill or dumbbells to name just a few. So you can turn up, pop your earphones in and burn those calories. There are also group classes if you want to work out with others.
However, gyms in January are always packed with people sticking to their New Years Resolution of being healthier. So if you’re lucky enough to find an empty machine, it’s after a long time of loitering around it.
Another option is at home workouts
So if you don’t want to feel the pressure of letting yourself down when you can’t make it to the gym, you can exercise inside. You just wear comfortable clothes that you don’t mind getting a little sweaty and put an exercise video on YouTube.
That way, you can select a beginners video and not be put off by the super “in the zone” gym goers. The only possible downside to your indoor exercise, is that you may not have space to manoeuvre, like at the gym. Also, if you live with other people, you might end up in their way. A solution to that? Get them involved too.
The third, almost mandatory option, is going for walks
This seems very obvious, I know. But back in lockdown, when gyms were shut, we needed some form of exercise. We thought “let’s walk to the corner shop for a loaf of bread”.
It’s a good thought too, as getting fresh air just replenishes the mind and soul. It’s an amazing de-stressing technique as well because staying inside all day can leave people feeling restless.
The negative to this method is the unpredictable British weather. You think “it’s only cloudy today, I can manage a walk”. Then comes the surprise rain. So ALWAYS check the forecast beforehand. Then you will be prepared for whatever the weather has to throw at you.
So if you’re starting 2022 on a health kick, just know there’s a wide range of different exercises available to suit your lifestyle. I recommend baby steps when beginning a new fitness regime, so you don’t burnout and get bored of it quickly.
A healthy lifestyle is not a competition with anyone, it’s something you have to stick to for the long haul to see results.If it WAS a competition, you’re already winning by deciding to be healthier.
Ceyda is an editorial writer.
