Guest column: Paula Radcliffe
Arecent survey by gym chain Fitness First of 2,000 of their members has found that many of us want to get back to the gym after lockdown, but are struggling to do so. I can see why people feel that way – lockdown turned our typical daily routines upside down and, for many people, gym closures meant that exercise went out the window. I’ve always been a really active person – it goes without saying, given my career! I genuinely think that, most of the time, exercise makes you feel better, whatever you’re feeling.
I appreciate it’s easy to say, “Just get back to the gym!”, but it’s not always that straightforward. If you haven’t been in ages, it can seem really daunting. But I promise exercise is about so much more than how your body looks – it’s about how you feel. I had a really rough lockdown, as my dad Peter passed away last April [from heart failure]. Running was truly what kept me sane. It was great to use runs to think about everything and to process it all. Running was something we both loved – he introduced it to me – so it’s where I feel closest to him, too. During lockdown running was – and still is – like therapy to me.
This summer has been great as things have opened up again and we can reconnect with loved ones. But for anyone struggling to get back into their exercise routine after a summer of fun, I’d recommend just making it a habit – like brushing your teeth. It’s not about how fast you are, how far you go or what you look like. If you need to, start slowly, like a walk, then a few minutes of running, then a walk again. Before you know it, you’ll be back into your old routine, and you’ll also be feeling much better.