How To Safely Start An Exercise Program In The New Year

Are you looking for ideas on how to safely start an exercise program in the new year? Losing weight and improving health are on the top of the list for many people’s New Year’s resolutions. But how do you do that in a way that is safe and healthy for your body and reduces the risk of injury?

While the new year is a great time to reset your health and wellness goals, going about it in a safe and healthy way is important. If you get injured or overdo it right away, you will be more likely to ditch your new routine and get off track from your goals.

Learning how to safely start an exercise program is important not only to help you lose weight, but it also helps you reduce your risk of long term illness and disease.

How To Safely Start An Exercise Program

The Department of Health and Human Services recommends 75 minutes of intense aerobic activity, 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or a combination of the two. These recommendations are for weekly exercising. The American Heart Association recommends 30 minutes of moderate activity on most days of the week.

With those recommendations in mind, here are some tips to help you start exercising safely.

Know your current fitness level

Be realistic about where you are starting. If you need help assessing your current fitness level, talk to your physical therapist.

Be realistic with your goals

Be realistic about how long and how often you can exercise. If you don’t think you can do it everyday, set your goals accordingly. Make your new plan manageable, so that you will continue it over the long term.

Start out slowly

Start out slowly and increase the intensity and lengths of your workouts as you can.

Keep moving

Finding ways to add movement to your life daily will help you to reach your exercise goals.

Rest when you need to

Allow time for rest and recovery. Don’t overdo it. Doing so will risk pain and injury that will take you time to recover from, thus risking your new routine.

Make it fun

Find fun ways to exercise. It might not be just hitting the gym. It could be hiking, dancing, swimming or walking with a friend.

Stick with it

Plan to commit and make this a new habit in your life. Find ways to stay motivated by working out with a friend, enlisting an accountability partner, joining a workout class or hiring a personal trainer for support.

At Fusion Rehab, we are committed to helping improve your health and the health of those you love. If a past injury or pain is holding you back from learning how to safely start an exercise program in the new year, we can help. Our unique approach combines the benefits of physical therapy with chiropractic care.

To schedule an appointment, contact us today.