How to get back into fitness now you’ve retired

I’m a little way off retiring but I have big plans for when that day does come. I recently asked my Dad how he was finding retirement and he responded – ‘I don’t know where I found the time to go to work!’

Not everyone looks forward to retirement, my Dad being one of them. He announced his retirement 3 times before finally hanging up his work jacket. Even we weren’t entirely sure how he would cope once he did. His job was very demanding and it was very rare to find him without his work phone, even on holiday! But when he finally settled into a slower pace of life, he started to enjoy his new-found free time.

For many, it can be the anxiety of having so much free time that prevents us from finally retiring. We spend the majority of our working lives like we’re travelling full pelt on a high-speed train, stopping only briefly to get off at the next stop. I know, if I put my feet up for just half-hour, I start to feel all lethargic and need a cheeky afternoon nap. I can imagine if I did this every day once I retired, I might start to feel a tad bit lazy.

While it’s important to have those respites when we need them, it’s also important to keep the mind active and our fitness levels up. Now, I know what you’re thinking…you’ve just been travelling 100mph, the last thing you want to do is go and join the latest Zumba class! But, exercise can come in many different forms and be adapted to suit all different fitness levels.

It took me a long time before I found any enjoyment in exercise and more importantly, something that I benefited from. I would start and stop like a yoyo, trying to dive head-first into the latest insane workout, then become disheartened when I couldn’t keep up. But then I realised, my fitness level was in no way a match for these crazy workouts. I stopped referring to it as ‘exercise’ and instead, concentrated on finding different enjoyable activities to improve my fitness.

I started out just walking a few times a week, I found the fresh air an instant mood booster. It wasn’t until a few weeks later when I was walking across the car park to Sainsbury’s with a spring in my step, that I realised I felt amazing. I hadn’t felt like this on my weekly shop in a long time! It spurred me on and I began to set myself little goals by picking up the pace and eventually, walking turned into running. I now pick and choose whether I fancy going for a walk or a run, I don’t let the thought of actually doing it weigh me down.

If you’ve never exercised or haven’t done so for a long time, it can be quite daunting or nerve-racking going to a new class or heading to the gym for the first time. You may, like me, dread the thought of the gym and prefer not to refer to it as exercise but simply, ways in which you can improve your fitness. I regularly phone my Dad and ask him what he’s up to, he often surprises me by saying he’s walking to Tesco or he’s just off out to discover a new cycle route. Incorporating the activity within your day can make it feel less like a chore.

Don’t be afraid to try a few different forms of exercise and not to feel too negative if it’s not for you. The trick is to start slowly and build upon your skills and endurance. Find out what motivates you and go from there. There are some great virtual classes if you’re not one for groups or maybe you can find a fitness buddy at the park you live on. Another great motivator is to sign up for a charity event, this will automatically give you a goal to work towards.

However you choose to begin, the first goal is to simply just start. Simple changes can often give you a new zest for life and before long, you also will be feeling the benefits of skipping into your local supermarket!