New Year, New....approach to how we think about getting active
So it's January. It's cold and it's dark, a lot. It's a time of year for many of us that can be really tough.
One thing which can really add to those feelings of negativity is the endless stream of New Year, New You posts that have been dominating our social media feeds for the last few weeks! If you're anything like us, your eyes are already rolling even at the thought of those so-called motivational memes. Let's be honest, we all know the things we should do to take care of our physical and mental health, but after a tough few years, many of us have succumbed to a few too many indulgences, and struggled to get out and be as active as we'd like.
Of course the other thing that has been happening recently, driven by the arrival of another new year, is the setting of super ambitious resolutions. This was going to be the year we would become a picture of healthy eating and regular trips to the gym.
But right about now, reality has bitten. We're ready to throw in the towel and a kale smoothie and a spin class is the last thing we feel like.
The good news is, you're not alone, this is totally normal!
A study from ComRes showed that around two thirds of people quit their resolution within the first month of a new year (1), whilst data from fitness app Strava showed that the majority of people fall off the fitness wagon within two weeks of January 1st (2). In fact when we set ourselves big goals, like going on a strict diet, or hitting the gym every day, things which are hard to achieve and we think we SHOULD do (but don't actually ENJOY or WANT to do) we are in fact setting ourselves an impossible task.
If you've read our previous article, you will already know we're not big fans of new year's resolutions, especially ones to join the gym. Gyms are a great resource and play an important role - for those who enjoy that type of environment. But those people don't need a new year’s resolution to get signed up, they can do that any time.
For the rest of us though, whilst we may have been thinking how great it would be in 2022 to feel fitter, have a bit more energy and get some of those positive exercise endorphins to boost our mental health, we didn't necessarily have a plan of how we wanted to get there. So we were enchanted by the option in front of us, by the glossy advertising and the great promotional deals. But now we have hit that wall where we've realised "oh yeah, I hate the gym".
Which brings us to another bit of good news. There is another way. In fact there are lots of them.
Alongside the usual "join this hardcore training programme which is definitely, different to all the other hardcore training programmes you've ever seen and will definitely change your life and will 100% work to make you feel like Beyoncé", we are seeing an absolute ground swell of positivity this January about finding the joy in movement, doing it together, and feeling the energy, rather than feeling the burn. You can call it sport or exercise or getting active. Frankly, you can call it Dave if you like, but we love it and think it is best summed up by one of our favourite mantras: If you're having fun, you're doing it right*.
To back up this positivity, we've been hearing about loads of great ways to start moving in new and different ways to access all of those benefits without ever setting foot in a gym. We thought we'd share a few of our favourites.
Get outdoors
Not always what we might think of at this time of year, but being outdoors is fantastic for lifting our spirits and boosting our mental and physical health (3, 4, 5) at any time of year, whether we walk, jog, cycle, scoot or roll.
If you're up for choosing your own adventure, check out the OS explorer maps or search online for routes near me, but if you'd rather join up with a group of like minded adventurers there are plenty to choose from. For example, parkrun is a community of weekly 5k events all over the country which you can run, walk, skip or salsa your way round. Muslim Hikers run inclusive walks for anyone to join, but who particularly want to inspire more Muslims to get outdoors. RunTalkRun are a growing network that offer regular runs and walks as safe spaces for people to talk about their mental health. And Pride Out is a group based in the north-west of England who offer inclusive bike rides, particularly aiming to encourage people from the LGBTQI+ community to get out and enjoy cycling.
If you're feeling particularly adventurous, you could even try a spot of outdoor swimming. This craze has really taken off in the last couple of years and there are now places to swim up and down the country. Although make sure you go to an organised event for this one. Water safety is no laughing matter!
Keep dancing
Strictly may be over for another year, but that doesn't mean you can strut your stuff. Stick on your favourite tunes and dance around your living room, or if you prefer a bit of guidance, there are some great online options, or have a look for dance classes near you. If you're looking for a gentler introduction, Paracise could be the thing for you, and Para Dance UK have a great programme running in partnership with This Girl Can from January 2022 to encourage more disabled women to take up dancing.
Breaking from the norm
Perhaps you've always fancied being part of a team, but been a bit put off by more traditional sports where everyone seems to know what they're doing? In which case, there are whole host of less conventional options where everyone will remember what it was like to be brand new. Why not have a go at korfball, quidditch, ultimate frisbee, rounders or dodgeball? Or maybe join a Rabble session to enjoy childhood favourites like Capture the Flag and British Bulldog.
Getting started
If you're brand new to getting active, you might feel nervous about going straight into something, in which case the Couch to series could be just what you're looking for. There are a range of different options to choose from and all sessions are online and designed for you to start wherever you're at and progress at your own pace. There's also a Couch to 5k programme to help you get started with jogging. If getting online isn't your thing, another great option is 10today, a series of 10 minute active sessions which you can listen to on the radio or access through Amazon Alexa.
Extra motivation
If a bit of extra motivation is what gets you moving, perhaps Good Gym is what you're looking for. Good Gym uses running, walking and cycling to travel to and support local projects and reach out to isolated older people in the community. If helping others is the extra boost you need, there are also lots of ways to volunteer in sport and physical activity, whilst getting a bit of movement in yourself.
Whatever you decide to do in 2022, just remember: If you're having fun, you're doing it right*.
If you have other ideas for new and different ways to get active, we'd love to hear them. Drop us a line on info@properactive.co.uk.
*We can't take credit for this one - we saw it on Rabble and have loved it ever since!
(2) https://www.womensrunning.com/culture/january-12-date-likely-kick-new-years-resolutions/
(4) https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/07/180706102842.htm
(5) https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0203000