It doesn’t matter if you’ve never exercised before; getting started is really simple. Anything you do whether it’s walking, running, swimming, cycling, playing football, rugby or netball is going to do you the world of good.

How much exercise is good for you?

Health and Fitness experts believe most people need 30 minutes of moderate physical activity, 5 days a week. This helps you manage your weight and makes it less likely that you will suffer from heart disease or strokes. If you haven’t exercised for a long time or are out of shape you may have to do more to make a difference

Speak to your doctor

It’s always a good idea to speak to your GP before you start a new exercise programme. They will be able to offer you guidance, support and let you know how much exercise it’s safe for you to begin with. If you suffer from an existing medical condition such as asthma, diabetes epilepsy or a heart condition it is essential to discuss everything with your doctor before you start.

Find something you enjoy

It’s important to find something you enjoy so you stick with it. If you hate the thought of running there’s no point in putting yourself through something you don’t enjoy. Besides, there are lots of activities that can help you exercise and stay healthy. Why not check out the Young Scot WOW website for some ideas.

Set a goal

Having a target keeps you motivated and helps you see how you’re getting on. You’ll be surprised at how quickly you’ll start to see improvements. You can use the Active Nation website to log your ‘Personal Activity Goal’ and record your progress. The website can be like a personal trainer and also let you know what activities are happening in your area. You’ll also get a fantastic feeling of accomplishment once you’ve achieved what you set out to do.

A new routine!

If you’re new to exercise it’s important to try to be committed to it. Even if you don’t have much time and you’re fitting exercise around lots of other commitments try and make it a habit. Let people know that your exercise is important to you and you’re trying to make time to pursue it. It’s also important to accept that there will be times where you miss planned sessions – don’t worry. This is perfectly natural and doesn’t mean that you’ve failed or have to give up. Just get back into it as soon as you can.

There is no right or wrong time of the day to exercise at so it’s always possible to fit things around your current schedule. However you should be aware of when you eat before and after exercise. It can also be a good idea to leave plenty of time between when you finish exercising and when you go to sleep. You’ll be surprised at how quickly your habits can change and you’ll probably find that you love your new activity.

Keep going!

After even just a couple of months of your new lifestyle you’ll probably begin to notice improvements in your health, fitness and body shape. It’s important to keep building on your successes. Why not try a new sport or activity; or increase your current level of training.