Ease me in for the long term....

[Greatballs]

I've just turned 35. I've had an on/off relationship with exercise for all of my adult life but I love it when I get round to it and I know it does me good.

Recently I've had a few changes to my life - different commitments, different job, children doing different things etc. This, combined with my birthday has prompted a kick up the bottom! I feel really motivated to start making positive changes, and my plan is to be a fit, healthy, strong, happy exerciser by my next birthday.

I've decided I need to take baby steps - I'm guilty of starting things and then giving up before it becomes a firm habit. If I start small I hope to stick with it and build myself up slowly, hence giving myself a 12 month goal. What would you recommend mumsnetters? Is there such thing as 12 month gentle start plan? What worked for you?

Thanks!

Yoga with Adrienne 30days of yoga on YouTube and the NHS couch to 5k podcast are both v good for easing you into exercise, can be down with minimal equipment etc. Both start from absolute beginner. I think they would work well together or seperately or one then the other maybe.

Firstly, I'd say it's a good approach. Worth reading Mark Manson's "Why your Goals are Bullshit" (Not affiliated in anyway- just like his stuff). He talks about habits vs. goals and how habits are the key to success because motivation is a fickle friend.

When people say "starting tomorrow I'm going to eat clean, give up booze and go to the gym seven times a week" they're almost certainly not going to succeed.

If they say "I'm going to commit to go to the gym 3 times a week, and I'm giving up alcohol Sun-Thurs and make a healthy lunch to take to work rather than get a take-out" that's a much more sustainable change, and once they've established that they can build onto it.

Couch to 5k may be a bit basic for you, but if you're not a runner it might be a place to start, or maybe start doing Parkrun on a Saturday morning? A lot of people like running clubs.

Sorry- it's called "Your goals are overrated

markmanson.net/goals