Three reasons why an osteopath wants you to take your exercise easy this January
For many, a new year brings with it a whole load of new health and fitness goals to get behind.
Have plans to run a 10k under 60 minutes this year? Intend on hitting on the gym three times a week? Or is 2023 the year you’ll clock up 10,000 steps each and every day?
“We’ve all done it,” Denise says. “You hear of people signing up to a new gym membership and promising themselves that this year will be the year they’ll work-out at least five times a week in a bid to be fitter, healthier and undo some of the Christmas fun they’ve enjoyed (perhaps a little bit too much) over the past couple of months. But sadly, these aims rarely survive the year. Often they don’t even survive until the end of January!”.
In fact, according to one report, 55% of us keep our New Year’s resolution for less than a year, 11% last at least six months, 14% last at least three months, while just 11% make it to a month.
The truth about health resolutions
Whether it’s the mounting pressure on us to have a fitness resolution in the first place, setting sky-high goals or a little nagging voice in your head (read: self doubt) - going full-steam ahead at the start of a new year to increase our fitness levels can often leave us feeling a bit overwhelmed, burnt-out and unmotivated.
“So whatever your plans might be, just make sure you stay in your lane and exercise at a speed and rate which is suitable for you,” suggests Denise. Here’s three reasons why you should do:
- You’re more likely to stick to your resolution
If you go at your own pace, you are more likely to stick to your resolution rather than dread your workout and put it off completely.
Denise says: “So set yourself realistic targets and timeframes to achieve them. Afterall, Rome wasn’t built in a day!”.
- You’re more likely to enjoy it
If a 7am spin class sounds more dreary than cheery to you, don’t put yourself through it.
“Instead, stick to something you love like a team sport you used to play at school or university but haven’t had the time to get back into, or tackle a 5k confidently before you eagerly sign up to that half marathon,” Denise explains.
- You’re less likely to do yourself a mischief
There’s nothing quite like overdoing it in the gym or fitness class to put you at risk of injury which in turn could set your fitness kick back by a week or two.
“By taking it steadily, you can increase your exercise load slowly as you get fitter, more confident and stronger,” Denise adds. “Listen to your body, as you know it better than anyone else, and rest when you need to.”
Look after your body this 2023 and beyond
If you, or someone you know, has hit the gym running (quite literally) and hurt themselves in the process, then do book an osteopathy appointment to help ease those stresses and strains.
Denise has 35 years’ experience in the world of osteopathy and has helped numerous people over that time. So don’t hesitate to reach out.
