I have mentioned in a couple of blogs dealing with a health issue that had prevented me from exercising. As I am slowly beginning to get better, I am also slowly working myself back into a routine.
It got me thinking about not only those who are out of commission for a sickness or injury but any reason that fitness hasn’t been a regular part of someone’s life. Too often we think that we have to just jump right into it. We start off running a marathon before we have ever learned to sprint.
Getting back into or starting a fitness routine can be done in increments. It is not only easier but it can help prevent injuries and the likelihood of quitting.
As an example, I can’t do anything involving my upper body because I am still dealing with inflammation caused by a condition called costochondritis. However, last week I was able to start walking on my treadmill. So what I did was just 10 minutes each day of walking at just 2 mph.
This week I plan to increase the time to 20 minutes. When my inflammation has gone away, then I will slowly work in some light weights. At some point I will increase the intensity and amount of time exercising. But my point is that I don’t attempt to do too much.
You can even take the concept of fitness in increments and apply it to eating habits, as I have often stated in other blogs. You change one habit at a time, such as cutting down from 10 sodas per week to five, then to two and so on. Or you start introducing one vegetable into your diet, then another.
Increments are a great way to slowly get used to things. It may give you the best chance at success when it comes to fitness.
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