Returning to fitness routines means going back to basics
EUGENE, Ore. — If you plan on returning to the gym now that they are allowed to reopen with capacity limits in many Oregon counties, experts say you should plan on easing yourself back into your routine.
Oregon Medical Group physician’s assistant Laurel Stiedemann has noticed that many of her patients are readying themselves to start their fitness routines again after a pandemic hiatus.
“I’ve been seeing a lot of patients who are interested in trying to lose their ‘COVID-19’ that we’ve all started to put on over the past year,” she said.
If your fitness regimen was interrupted over the past year, Stiedemann said that you shouldn’t expect to be able to jump right back in where you left off. If you are used to running a few miles, consider starting with running just a few laps. Overworking yourself can have negative health impacts.
“Just because you’re starting behind where you were when the pandemic started a year ago doesn’t mean you won’t get there or find new goals,” she said.
Taking extra time to stretch or warm-up before a workout can also keep your body in good condition. However, be aware that you might not be as flexible as you were before the pandemic and avoid overstretching.
“Our bodies have changed. Our muscles and fat ratios and where all of that is distributed has moved around. So when you move your body it will probably move differently than it did before,” said Stiedemann.
According to Stiedemann, most people have a good idea of when they’ve pushed themselves too far and know when to stop. But now more than ever, knowing the difference is essential.
If an exercise hurts a lot, makes you limp or leaves you in pain, it’s time to take a step back.
“Making sure we are being mindful of good pain means, yes we’re working our muscles and making them stronger, versus bad pain which tends to happen in joints and things like that,” she said.
