The crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic is making lots of people take another look at their level of physical fitness. Cut off from gyms and swimming pools, from the option of walking or cycling to and from work, and with even free public gyms in parks closed, people who have a dedicated fitness routine need to think again, and people who just rely on the friction of their everyday life to keep them in shape need to think for the first time.
There are plenty of pitfalls for people starting a new routine for the first time, and even more for people who’ve never exercised in a regimented way before, so today we’re taking a look at some of them so you can get fit and still feel good!
Staying Hydrated
Even a short run can raise your body temperature, raise a sweat and leave you breathing hard. All this contributes to dehydration. It’s important to remember that it’s not just water you lose when you’re sweating: you also sweat out some important salts that are dissolved in the water in your bloodstream called electrolytes. These are used by your body to regulate important processes: how your nerves transmit instructions to your muscles, your heart beat, even your mood – all these processes can be affected by your electrolyte levels. That’s why dehydration can be so serious if it’s not addressed.
While you might not need to carry water with you on a long run, it’s still worth making sure you some some of the best electrolyte tablets available for you to replenish those important salts along with your water levels when you get home.
Don’t Take on Too Much
Even if you’re generally very fit, taking on a new form of exercise can stress muscle groups you’ve not previously worked on. Start cautiously and conservatively, and build your resilience for this new form of exercise over time.
Running in particular has lots of resources to help first timers develop their strength and stamina, with a wide variety of ‘couch to 5k’ apps and programmes guiding you through a weeks long regime that builds your stamina and develops the muscles you need to run for long periods.
Setting Goals
It can be difficult to maintain your motivation in the early stages of your fitness habit, when progress is slow and painful. One way to overcome this difficulty is to set goals and track your progress towards them. Focusing on what you can do, and watching that grow over time gives a positive spin to your early days, and saves you from the negativity of focusing on your limitations.
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