Welcome to a new fitness series! I joined a gym last week so that I could restart my fitness journey. Yes, I have worked out since having a baby, but it hasn’t been consistent. I want to change that, so I’m sharing recaps of my workouts as I try to get back into my fitness routine. I’m recapping this both to inspire others to start, even if it’s slowly, and to hold myself accountable. If anyone reading this is also trying to meet a fitness goal, I’d love to be virtual workout buddies. Share your goals in the comments!
Week 1 Workout Recap:
Note: You will notice my workouts were not intense or long on my first week. That’s because I know my body and I am not in the best shape. I want to show how even just a short workout can help in the long run.
Monday-Tuesday: No workout. It was New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. We signed up for the gym membership on NYE and then went to the gym to tour it and grab our passes on the first.
Wednesday: .5 mile run and 15 minutes on the stairmaster. I then did 15 minutes of light yoga and bicycle crunches. (I was sore for three days from this.)
Thursday-Friday: No workout.
Saturday: .25 mile walk on the treadmill to warm up, followed by a 1-mile run. We then did about 15 minutes of yoga and bicycle crunches.
Sunday: Yoga Sculpt class at a studio. This class combines yoga with using free weights and strength training exercises like squats and lunges. It also includes a section on working the core. I estimate we did about 150 lunges holding weights and at a fast tempo. I had to take several water breaks. The instructor was like a drill sergeant, but I appreciate the intense workout.
Reflections and tips:
- Don’t worry about starting slow or taking it easy. Yes, you want to get a good workout in, but you also don’t want to hurt yourself. Stretching is important, as is drinking enough water and allowing your body time to recover.
- Mix up the workout to keep yourself engaged. I have always enjoyed a mix of yoga, running, and strength training.
- Don’t worry about what others think. There will always be people who are annoyed at the newbies. Focus on yourself and ask for help when you don’t know how to use machines. Many gyms offer a free training session when you first join, and the trainer can help with the machines.
- You don’t need the fanciest shoes, workout clothes or gear, at least not to get started.
Note: I am not a fitness trainer. These are just tips that I follow and that work for me. For the best fitness advice consult a professional.
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Marette Flora is the founder of Floradise blog and personalized gift shop. Marette is a passionate storyteller and creator. She attended the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University and obtained a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication.
She is passionate about creating helpful and meaningful things.