After a 4 year break from exercise, these three things helped me get back into a healthy routine

Once upon a time long, long ago, exercise was a part of my daily routine. I'd get up, head to a boxing, HIIT or pilates class and then carry on with my day.

It was easy back then to fit in a 45-minute workout before or after work or as a way to kickstart the weekend. In fact, exercise was a social experience and on any given Saturday or Sunday (or both) you'd find my friends and I doing a class together before heading to brunch or some other fun activity.

But after moving countries yet again (I moved back to Sydney from New York), a pandemic and becoming a mum, I lost all my motivation to move and, suddenly, four years had gone by since I'd hit a heavy bag or reformer machine. Instead, all I thought about was hitting the hay after a long day of juggling parenting and full-time work.

RELATED:

• I was always terrible at packing for holidays until I discovered these three things

• The Project's Susie Youssef reveals crippling health struggle: 'Really important story'

• Former Biggest Loser Australia stars reveal shock truth about show: 'Extremely unhealthy'

A family holiday down the south coast was the eventual wake-up call I needed when I looked at some candid photos my partner had taken of my son and I at the beach and I didn't recognise my own body. Not only that, but I felt tired and sluggish and just knew I needed to make a change.

For anyone reading this and feeling like they can relate, here are the three things I have found that have helped me get back into a healthy routine.

Find the right studio for you

Working out was easy when I lived in New York because the boxing gym I went to felt like a little community. I was friends with many of the trainers and, as I mentioned, going to a class was a social engagement that I would enjoy with my closest friends.

This was part of the reason I found it difficult to maintain a routine during Covid. Although my favourite boxing gym in NYC ran virtual classes, it just wasn't the same. And then, when gyms re-opened here, I struggled to find one that gave me that sense of 'home'.

Happily, that same boxing studio - Rumble - has opened in my suburb here in Sydney and has been a huge motivating factor in me getting back on the bags.

If you can find a studio that makes you feel 'at home' and gives you that sense of community, you're going to have way more motivation to show up. Plus, when you've spent the money for a class, you are way more likely to turn up than if you just tell yourself you'll go for a run/swim/bike ride/walk.

Fitness trainer Jono Castano agrees telling Yahoo Lifestyle, that you should "choose activities that you actually enjoy doing, whether it's running, cycling, dancing, swimming, or yoga. When you find pleasure in your workouts, you'll be more likely to stick with them."

However, he does caution that you should ease yourself back into exercise after a long hiatus.

"One of the most common mistakes is trying to pick up right where you left off before the break," Jono says. "This can lead to overexertion, increased risk of injury, and burnout. It's important to start gradually and progressively increase the intensity and duration of your workouts over time."

Get gear that makes you feel confident

It may sound a bit silly, but having the right workout wear is a big factor in making you feel motivated to get out there and do it. You want gear that not only makes you feel good, but that is comfortable and functional to wear at the same time - there is nothing worse than leggings that don't stay up properly, or sports bras that do nothing to support the girls.

Under Armour's new Live in UA range has been perfect for me because it's not only stylish and super comfy but it's also more affordable than many of the other activewear brands out there. The range is designed to be used for everyday wear - from your workout to working from home and each piece is meticulously crafted using quality cutting-edge fabrics and innovative design techniques to ensure maximum comfort, durability, and style.

What I particularly love about these UA pieces is that they truly do the job during intense workouts (and running after my dog and toddler). The leggings don't slip down but they also don't ride up your butt (it's really hard to pull out a wedgie when you've got boxing gloves on) and the sports bras are super supportive without feeling like some sort of medieval corset.

And, because I work from home three days a week, I appreciate that the pieces are comfortable enough to throw on first thing in the morning so I don't have to waste time getting changed if I fancy a lunchtime jog (every minute counts!).

Also, at the risk of making myself sound like the punchline of every joke about 'Northern Beaches mums' out there - the pieces are also perfect for the playground, coffee dates, play dates and just about any other parenting-related activity you may find yourself doing on your 'days off.'

Be kind to yourself and set realistic goals

My overall goal when getting back into a fitness routine was less about losing weight and more about wanting to feel good in my skin and have more energy and strength.

However, I didn't just want to get back into it all without having a barometer for progress. So instead of obsessively standing on the scales, it was more about trying to be consistent in the workouts, making sure I was getting enough sleep, drinking enough water and trying to be kind to myself even when I felt frustrated about having to go easier in class than I would like.

These are all key pieces of advice that Jono also offers to anyone who is trying to get back on track with their health.

"Start by setting realistic and achievable goals for yourself," Jono says. "This could be as simple as committing to exercising for a certain number of days per week or aiming to complete a specific workout."

He also recommends listening to your body and being kind to yourself if you need to take a day off. "Pay attention to how your body feels during and after exercise," he says. "Ignoring signs of pain or discomfort can lead to injuries. It's normal to experience some muscle soreness when starting back up, but sharp or persistent pain should not be ignored."

SHOP:

• The 'delicious' smoothie that's packed with protein: 'Such a great way to get added goodness'

• The weight loss shake that helps with skin and hair health too: 'I have so much more confidence'

• Collagen lovers can't get enough of the 'treat' that helps with beauty sleep

And finally, it's so important to count your wins! Instead of berating yourself for only going to a class twice in a week, give yourself a high five for simply going. Be patient with yourself and remember that good things take time.

Jono also suggests keeping track of your workouts, progress, and achievements to make them easier to celebrate.

"This could be through a fitness app, journal, or simply marking off days on a calendar", he says. "Seeing how far you've come can be a great motivator."

Want the latest celebrity news? Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.