How many of us are used-to-do-ers?

“I used to go to the gym but…”

“When I was younger, I used to run a lot, but…”

You get the idea.

Of course it can be daunting to get back into shape after a long period of inactivity. There can be a lot of psychological barriers we need to overcome just to find a place to start! Do any of these sound familiar?

“I’d like to, but I just don’t have time.”

“I don’t like working out in front of other people.”

“I prefer to work out outdoors, but it’s too cold in the winter.”

(Okay, for that last one, anyone that follows my Instagram page will know that you don’t need great weather to have a great outdoor workout!)

All of these are scripts we repeat to ourselves over and over again, until they build up into something we believe to be true, even if it’s not. If you really want to get into shape, there is a way to get started that you can fit into your schedule, your comfort zone. Everyone can, it’s just finding a great strategy and workout that works for you.

Think you don’t have time? Start with something small. Small, short actions compound over time, and ultimately make a big difference! Be forgiving of yourself if you miss a day. Don’t beat yourself up, just pick it up the next day and keep going. Most importantly, don’t look for instant results, look to build habits you can sustain over time to ease yourself back into the fitness game.

Some ideas of small (discreet) actions you can take this week:

1. Get off the bus/tram/metro one stop early and walk an extra minute or two to and from work.
2. Swap your regular breakfast for a high protein alternative. A lot of protein sources can be prepared the night before, such as boiled eggs, lean cooked meats, or even high protein smoothies, so you can easily take them with you if you’re in a rush.
3. Bring a thermos flask to work so you can combine your tea or coffee-break with a five minute walk – and get a friend or colleague to join you!
4. Make it a habit of actually walking places instead of taking the car or bus…start with small distances in the beginning.
5. If you only need to go up or down a couple of floors, take the stairs instead of wasting time waiting for the elevator. (Better yet, ALWAYS take the stairs!)

By making a habit of these small types of actions, you’ll soon find that you do them automatically. The more you move, the fitter you will get, no matter what kind of movement it is. It’s that simple.

And once you’re ready for the next step?

If you’re already a member of a gym, or looking to join one, most gyms offer low impact classes and personal training, to ease you into gently developing your exercise routine, and can also be great if you’re getting back into working out after an injury.

If you’d like some specific advice for your situation, why not come along to one of my classes and say hello or email me ninettefitness@gmail.com? I’m always happy to meet my readers and answer any questions to help you make the most out of the class so that you can make real progress towards achieving your goals, all whilst actually having fun.