Getting Back Into Exercise After A Break

Taking time away from exercise can be good for you, but getting back into exercise can be even harder. What’s important is getting started.

Sometimes life just gets in the way. Things need prioritising over other things and, before you know it, your usual routine has gone out the window. For me, these last couple of months has been the busiest of my life. I graduated from university, started a new job, had an internship and moved house. All of that meant that I couldn’t exercise nearly as much as I wanted to. I went from actively working out every day to just trying to fit walks in when I did errands. It was disheartening, but I simply didn’t have time.

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How to get back into exercise

I always knew I would come back to it as soon as I could. Luckily, I’d set up the habit beforehand so that itching to exercise never left me. One thing I did know, is that it wouldn’t be as simple as just continuing from where I had left off.

The best way to get back into exercise is to start off slowly. Don’t throw yourself in at the deep end and immediately run a 10k or a do really intense HIIT session. More than likely, it won’t go as planned and you’ll just be a bit disappointed.

Taking a break means your muscles won’t be the same and can’t handle something intense off the bat. Go with something less strenuous initially and build yourself up. That way, your muscles are given the chance to build back up, and you’ll get to where you were without the risk of injury.

Starting off slow

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For me, I started off running 3k three times a week at a pace slightly slower than usual. Not as much as I had done before, but something I was comfortable with. It’s temporary, and soon I’ll move up to 5k, and then even more. Sure, I wish I could immediately run for miles and miles, but that’s not realistic and I know it won’t take long to get there.

The important thing was getting started. It’s easy to put it off for even longer, but as soon as your slip your shoes on, roll out your mat or lift those dumbbells, you’ll remember why you loved exercising in the first place.

Jasmyne Jeffery

Jasmyne Jeffery is a full-time writer on Freshered after working freelance with GRV Media previously. She attended the University of South Wales where she was also a student blogger. In 2022, she graduated with a first-class honours degree in English and Creative Writing. Jasmyne worked briefly for her local newspaper before heading to university and completing an internship at a publishing company. She is now pursuing and loving a career in journalism. Jasmyne has a particular interest in student news, entertainment, and social media, whilst also (trying!) to help put the world to right. Originally from North Devon, she is currently loving the small-city life in Cardiff.