If the news that life in lockdown is set to continue has you in a rut then a spring reset might be what you need.
With winter coming to an end this week and spring beginning, it is a good time to turn the focus on yourself instead of turning the house upside-down for a spring clean.
This could mean taking time to reassess your health and fitness goals and to set new ones. Reflect on what has worked well for you over the past few months since winter arrived while also taking note of what hasn't.
The statewide snap lockdown that now appears to have an uncertain end would have thrown many health and fitness routines out the door.
But setting a schedule for the next few months could help re-establish a much-needed routine.
I have been finding solace and calm in doing this for each upcoming week. Having a plan not only makes me feel organised but also gives me direction. Then the hardest part is getting up for an early-morning session to kick off the day in a positive way.
On another positive note, it has been getting lighter in the morning and should start to also warm up which makes it easier to get moving when the alarm goes off.
Having clear goals on what you want to achieve will give you direction. That could be for the coming week, the month of September, the lockdown period or the entire season of spring.
If winter was a time for hibernation then plotting your way back to a more active lifestyle could be your goal. Keeping it simple can be key here. Don't go too hard too soon. Ease your way in and make your targets reachable.
Balance is important. Try to ensure a mix of cardiovascular fitness training with strength and flexibility throughout the week.
A simple and balanced strength session would be to combine a couple of upper body (push-ups, rows, shoulder press), lower body (squats, lunges, dead lifts, step ups) and core exercises (crunches, glute bridge, plank hold, opposing arm and leg extension) into a 30-minute workout two to three times a week.
Walk, run, ride or swim on the other days.
You could set yourself a daily step goal or a weekly lap count for the swimmers out there.
A tip is to make sure the goal you set is realistic. Track how many steps you clock in a normal day. If, for example, it is 5000, then trying to get to 7500 or 10,000 should be an achievable goal.
Having that goal might make you do an extra 15-minute walk in the day and in the process increase your level of daily activity. You might be surprised at how many steps you are, or aren't taking each day.
Signing up to Steptember, which raises funds for the Cerebral Palsy Alliance, and requires participants to reach a goal of 10,000 steps for the 30 days of September is another good way to stay motivated while helping others.
Send your health and fitness news to r.valentine@newcastleherald.com.au.
Renee Valentine is a journalist, qualified personal trainer and mother of three.
