We are lucky to be slowly emerging from lockdown in Canberra. With that comes the need to find what the new normal looks like. While some things will return to normal quickly, others will take more time, or may never be the same again. The same goes for our routines and habits.
You may feel you should get back to the gym, or return to the exercise program that you had before lockdown and this may seem a very daunting task after so many weeks confined to our homes. Before you get started, take the time to consider what your new normal looks like for your exercise program.
Before you start, make sure to check in with your goals and reassess them for who you are today (not pre-lockdown you), are they still relevant? What has changed in your life? What are your priorities now? What time and resources to you have available to you? Knowing your goals sets the direction you are heading, which you need to know before you work out how you are going to get there. Setting goals takes time and thought, seeking the help of a coach can assist you to establish goals in alignment with your values and priorities.
With your goals clearly in mind, now you can look at how best you can work towards achieving them. There are a few things you can consider to guide the best way for you to restart your exercise program.
Firstly, look at the habits that you created during lockdown. What did you enjoy doing, what did you start doing, and which of these habits will serve you outside of lockdown? It may be your daily exercise, involved a walk with the dog, or a family bike ride, or something that you haven’t tried before. If you enjoyed it during lockdown, then keep doing it, there’s no need to stop just because lockdown is ending.
Secondly, think back to the start of lockdown, what did you miss the most? Was it the connection from exercising with your friends? Was it the weight training to build your strength? These could be the first things to add back into your program once restrictions lift. On the flip side, what were you glad to have a break from? Were you secretly happy to stay in bed and skip the 6am workout or relieved to have a break from large group classes. Reflecting on what you missed and didn’t miss will give you insight into what works best for you. Choosing to align with your exercise preferences will make your routine more enjoyable and sustainable.
Finally, it is time to look for what is available that aligns with your exercise preferences and is inspiring for you. Your post lockdown routine can be reimagined for focus on your new goals, there is no expectation that it will look like your routine pre-lockdown, as this my no longer serve you. Keeping the lockdown routines that you enjoyed and introducing new activities aligned to your exercise preferences will make your post lockdown program fun, engaging and maintainable.
Taking the time to consider these things will help to to work out how you want to establish your post-lockdown exercise routine that aligns with your new goals, leverages successful lockdown habits and finds new activities aligned to your personal exercise preferences. This will give you the greatest chance of success and give a kickstart to your restart.
If you need help to identify your preferences, need accountability or motivation to create your new routine, please connect with us and we would love to support you to reach for your goals.