For those of us who have been out of the habit of exercising on a daily basis, getting back onto that horse may seem like daunting task. What used to be an everyday ritual, now becomes a monster looming in the shadows. What used to be embraced (well, sort of), now becomes something to be shunned. Why, because we have gotten used to the freedom that comes with not being tied-down to an exercise schedule. Just as we hate to go back to work after a vacation, so too we hate to go back to exercising.It has been just over two weeks, and since I began my diet last August, this is the longest I have gone without working out. The first week was the hardest, because I could actually feel my muscles wanting to be exercised. Now, into my second week as my ankle heals and I am getting ready to resume my routine, I find that it is going to be like starting all over again. You see, I have gotten used to not working out and I no longer feel guilty if I don't exercise. So, I need to re-establish a routine and force myself to stick to it. I will once again need to set aside a certain portion of the day and devote it to my exercise routine.
Now that I have it set in my mind to begin anew, how will I go about achieving this? I plan to go slowly. I must bear in mind that my muscles have had over two weeks of rest and I will NOT be able to perform the same exercises at the same level as I used to. I need to realize that until my muscles become accustomed to the routine once again, I will need to reduce the level of resistance. I will need to slowly (this being the operative word) work myself back to the level I was at before my injury. Lastly, I need to listen to what my body is telling me, so I don't end up back on the crutches.
If you are in the process of resuming your exercise routine after a long break, go about it slowly and carefully. Don't get discouraged that you can no longer do what you were once able to do. Your body will soon adjust and you will be back in the saddle again.
* Yes, that's Koko in our ornament box.
I'm embarrassed to say that in my quest to be in great shape for Mexico in four weeks, I've over did it and injured my knee. Now I'm sitting on my butt, unable to work out. You're right - you can't over do it, even if you exercise regularly.
ReplyDeleteI'm really sorry to hear that, I thought I was the only one to do something like this. I hope you will be up and running for Mexico! That sounds great about now. We are foggy and around 35 degrees...bleah! We changed from snow and cold to foggy and cold. Please take care of your knee and have fun in the sun;)
ReplyDeleteI am trying to get back into exercising too and as you said it's hard. It's so easy to let it slide and put it off. I am determined today though to get a workout in. Thanks for the pep talk :)
ReplyDeleteI hope you are right. It feels good to work out again and I have to be careful not to overdo it. Once I get going, I hate to stop! Please, hold me back!!
ReplyDeleteDori: Good luck with the work out. I know that until you get a routine going, the first few days are the hardest;-)
ReplyDeleteKaren, author of "My Funny Dad, Harry": I know what you mean, there are times that I just don't want to stop, because it feels so good...until the next day:)