Five tips to help you prepare to get fit

What you need to know and what you really should do at the very start

It is so common for people to want to get fit and improve their lifestyle. The familiar error with starting off a new fitness regime is people don't know where to start.  So we want to help you get fit, healthier and slimmer, but not just for the short term, for life in our 'movement for mood series'. I want to also show you the positive impact movement can have on your mental wellbeing and stress levels. Simply put, move more and you’ll feel better. In the first of this series, I want to show you how to do it properly, setting the foundations for sustained success and not just doing another quick fix. Here are some simple tips for you to follow.

Gait analysis

This is so important yet so many people forget about it. Gait analysis is simply getting your feet checked to ensure that you have the best possible runner or to find out your foot type. You can check your gait if you flip your runner over, the sole of the shoe should be evenly worn all the way across, if its unevenly worn on one side, the inside or outside of the runner, then you need to get your gait checked. It’s free to do and noninvasive, you just have to ask the store to do it. It will also help to protect your joints and your back.

Gear

Don’t worry you don’t need to spend a lot of money to get the right gear to exercise in. Mainly you just need to avoid cotton fabrics as much as possible, they get heavy with sweat and uncomfortable so instead aim for light and breathable fabrics that will allow the body to sweat and make the workout far more enjoyable.

Advice

Now you need to ensure that you get some advice. In this series I will give you as much help as I can. You can also check out the laya healthcare blog as well as if you are a laya healthcare member. The right advice will keep you healthy for longer and safer. If you are a member of a gym, then don’t be afraid to be a customer, asking for advice and getting the service you deserve.

Measure

One of the most important components of getting fit that so many people forget about is the fact that you have to measure your progress, track your results and when you see those results improve, you will be more focused, more driven and healthier in the long run. You can track anything, your weight, your waistline, your one hour walk test, whatever you feel like, just measure something, once a week and watch it improve.

Balance

My final tip is to make your health plans balanced. Don’t aim for an all or nothing approach, for food or for exercise. Instead aim to be healthy most of the time and allow yourself the odd treat. It’s called the 80/20 rule and is always the best way to stay healthy in the long term, as there are no extremes, no fads and no gimmicks. 

You can now download Karl Henry's 'Movement for mood' series here. You can also read Karl's other blogs on layahealthcare.ie/thrive/health or listen to his Real Health podcast here.