Do what you love – and take it easy: eight ways to get back lost fitness and motivation

Many of us have been working at home for more than a year now, without the “ambient” exercise we used to get during the 9 to 5 – walking to and from the station, say, or up and down the office stairs. The pandemic has left many of us feeling tired, out of sorts and beaten.

Don’t be ashamed

Get in the gym!

Other people don’t care, they’re doing their own thing.
Push past the discomfort for a few sessions. If people can just get in for one or two weeks, they soon change their perception of the gym space, and themselves.

Be consistent – and kind to yourself

It’s better to have a few shorter sessions a week that are manageable than packing in lots of classes, and then dropping out

The more consistent you are, the higher your motivation levels will stay
Compare where you are now with where you were a year ago and think about how this year you’re going to build back better

Find your personal incentive

If you’re naturally inclined to be sedentary, or don’t particularly enjoy working out, it can be difficult to motivate yourself to lace on a pair of trainers and head out for a run.

Remind yourself that there are people who rely on you and they need you to be strong.

Consider measuring your progress

Apps such as Strava are free to use and can be effective in motivating you

Don’t overdo it

It’s tempting to embark on a full-throttle fitness kick when you feel that you’ve been slacking, it’s actually counterproductive

Use the resources that are available

There are many other brilliant programmes that can help you get into fitness for the first time, or rediscover your motivation

The FIIT app has some indoor-based workouts that are really good for lots of different levels
Keiser’s The Ride is an indoor cycling program that is much less intimidating than Peloton
Nike also does a very good free-running app with plenty of beginner routes
And avail yourself of your local gym’s reopening offer