We all know that exercise is one of the best ways to look after our physical and mental health. But sometimes, life gets busy, our routines change, or we simply lose our motivation. Before we know it, weeks or even months have passed without exercising.

So, how do we get started again?

Well, that’s where I’m here to help!

I’m Lucy Wyndham-Read, your qualified online trainer, and I want you to know that I understand exactly how this feels. If my routine changes and I take a break from exercise, I sometimes have to pull out all the stops to get myself back on track!

And that’s exactly what I’m going to share with you today.

But rather than simply telling you to put on your trainers and do a workout, I want us to go a little deeper, because getting back into exercise starts with something much more important: your mindset.

Step 1: Get Your Mindset Right – YES I CAN!

I always say that our minds are the captains of our ships. When we get our mindset heading in the right direction, everything else becomes so much easier.

So, let’s start by changing how we think about exercise.

Instead of looking at exercise as something we HAVE to do, or something we’re doing to change or punish our bodies, I want you to look at it as something we’re doing because we LOVE our bodies.

Think of exercise as an incredible investment in your future health.

You’re building strength, supporting your heart, looking after your bones and joints, boosting your energy and helping yourself stay active and independent as you get older.

Now that’s something to get excited about!

This is your health journey, and every little step forward is something to be proud of.

Step 2: Write Down Your Health Goal

Now, I’d like you to grab a pen and a piece of paper because I have a little task for you!

I want you to write down your health goal.

What would you like to achieve?

Perhaps it’s:

• To feel stronger and fitter.

• To have more energy throughout the day.

• To improve your balance and mobility.

• To support a healthy weight.

• To boost your fitness and stamina.

• To feel happier and more confident.

Whatever your goal is, write it down.

Now, I want you to close your eyes for a moment and VISUALISE what achieving that goal would look and feel like.

Imagine yourself feeling stronger, having more energy and feeling proud of what you’ve achieved.

You can even draw a little picture of what your healthier, happier future looks like.

And finally, at the bottom of that piece of paper, I want you to write three very important words:

YES I CAN!

Keep that piece of paper somewhere you can see it every day. It will become your little reminder of WHY you started.

Step 3: Find a Time That Works for YOU

Now let’s look at something that can often stop us getting started: TIME!

If you lead a super-busy life, trying to find 45 minutes every day to exercise might feel completely unrealistic.

And this is where I want you to change your thinking.

You don’t need to spend hours exercising to start looking after your health.

I am a big believer in shorter workouts because they are achievable, manageable and much easier to fit into everyday life.

Could you find 7–10 minutes in your day?

Perhaps first thing in the morning, during your lunch break or even before you get ready for bed.

If you have longer, that’s fantastic! But knowing that you can still achieve something in a shorter amount of time takes away that feeling of having to find a huge chunk of your day.

Remember, consistency is far more important than trying to do everything at once.

Step 4: Don’t Put It Off Until Tomorrow – Start TODAY!

Now we’ve got our mindset right, we’ve written down our health goal and we’ve found a time that works for us.

So, what’s next?

It’s time to get started!

I’d love you to choose your first home workout today.

If you’ve been away from exercise for a while, start with something gentle, low-impact and suitable for your current fitness level. There’s no need to rush or try to pick up where you left off.

The important thing is simply to begin and gradually build up as your fitness improves.

And the lovely thing is that you have hundreds of free home workouts to choose from right here on my YouTube channel.

Whether you fancy a short walking workout, some gentle toning, a little cardio or a full-body routine, there’s something to help you get moving.

Step 5: Celebrate Every Little WIN!

Finally, remember that piece of paper with your health goal and your YES I CAN message?

I want you to stick it somewhere you can see it every day.

And here’s another little idea.

Every time you complete one of your home workouts, give yourself a BIG tick on that piece of paper!

Don’t underestimate how good it feels to see those little ticks adding up.

Each one represents a promise you’ve kept to yourself.

And rather than worrying about how much you haven’t done, I want you to feel proud of everything you ARE doing.

Remember, this isn’t about being perfect. It’s about building healthy habits that you can enjoy and stick with.

3 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

How do I start exercising again after months of inactivity?

Start with short, gentle workouts that suit your current fitness level. Gradually increase the duration and intensity as your fitness improves. You can follow any of my Free Fitness Workout Challenges for structure, you can pick one here.

Is 10 minutes of exercise a day enough to get started?

Absolutely! Ten minutes is a great starting point and helps you establish a routine. You can gradually build towards the recommended weekly activity levels. Here is a Playlist of my Free 10 Minute Workouts.

How do I stay motivated when starting exercise again?

Set a realistic health goal, choose activities you enjoy, schedule a regular time and celebrate every little achievement.

A little movement today is a wonderful investment in your future health.

So, let’s get started, believe in ourselves and remember those three little words…

YES I CAN!  Love Lucy