# How to resume working out after a long time cut **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 30, 2011, 9:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-resume-working-out-after-a-long-time-cut/594603 "2011-08-30T09:00:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Reza](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Reza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reza)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2011, 9:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-resume-working-out-after-a-long-time-cut/594603/1 "2011-08-30T09:00:34Z")
When you have stopped doing exercise for a long time, it is difficult to start it over. What are the best ways to get over the laziness and lassitude? ---
**Author:** ![One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/838e76/32.png) [@One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/One_And_Only_Wanderers)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2011, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-resume-working-out-after-a-long-time-cut/594603/2 "2011-08-30T09:33:30Z")
The trouble I always have is wanting to go back at the level I was before the break, which leads to discouragement when you crap out of the run (or whatever) because you went too fast etc. Work yourself back in from a more reasonable starting point! ---
**Author:** ![Al\_Bundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@Al\_Bundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al_Bundy)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2011, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-resume-working-out-after-a-long-time-cut/594603/3 "2011-08-30T13:35:28Z")
Do the same thing you did when you started before. ---
**Author:** ![anson2995](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c77e96/32.png) [@anson2995](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anson2995)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2011, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-resume-working-out-after-a-long-time-cut/594603/4 "2011-08-30T18:08:50Z")
There are programs out there to help you… I reccomend [Couch to 5K](http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml) and [200Situps](http://www.twohundredsitups.com/), each of which walks you through the difficult part of getting started. ---
**Author:** ![Reza](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Reza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reza)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2011, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-resume-working-out-after-a-long-time-cut/594603/5 "2011-08-31T23:03:45Z")
> [@One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](#): > > The trouble I always have is wanting to go back at the level I was before the break, which leads to discouragement when you crap out of the run (or whatever) because you went too fast etc. > > Work yourself back in from a more reasonable starting point! Sounds workable. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Reza](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Reza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reza)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2011, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-resume-working-out-after-a-long-time-cut/594603/6 "2011-08-31T23:07:09Z")
> [@anson2995](#): > > There are programs out there to help you… I reccomend [Couch to 5K](http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml) and [200Situps](http://www.twohundredsitups.com/), each of which walks you through the difficult part of getting started. This is for running freak, I meant general exercise, all movements. Thanks anyway, was a good one. ---
**Author:** ![Reza](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Reza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reza)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2011, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-resume-working-out-after-a-long-time-cut/594603/7 "2011-08-31T23:09:32Z")
> [@Al\_Bundy](#): > > Do the same thing you did when you started before. Placebo ! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Toxylon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f05b48/32.png) [@Toxylon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxylon)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2011, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-resume-working-out-after-a-long-time-cut/594603/8 "2011-09-01T15:45:44Z")
If you have exercised in the past, you know you have all what it takes. After a prolonger lay-off, you’ll find yourself making all kinds of excuses to not get involved again. You’re too tired, you’re too hungry, you have better things to do right now etc. The trick is to wait for the rare moment you actually have no lame-ass reason not to exercise, and then just do it without giving yourself a chance to mull the decision over. Once you’re into the groove, doing the exercise, you’ll find yourself wondering why the hell did you steer clear of this awesome feeling, not to mention the afterburn hours when you feel all worthy and wholesome instead of guilty and achy for once again not giving your body and soul what it needs. That has been my experience, anyway. I work out at home, so I can hit the iron on a whim. ---
**Author:** ![Reza](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Reza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reza)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2011, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-resume-working-out-after-a-long-time-cut/594603/9 "2011-09-03T02:01:11Z")
> [@Toxylon](#): > > If you have exercised in the past, you know you have all what it takes. After a prolonger lay-off, you’ll find yourself making all kinds of excuses to not get involved again. You’re too tired, you’re too hungry, you have better things to do right now etc. > > The trick is to wait for the rare moment you actually have no lame-ass reason not to exercise, and then just do it without giving yourself a chance to mull the decision over. Once you’re into the groove, doing the exercise, you’ll find yourself wondering why the hell did you steer clear of this awesome feeling, not to mention the afterburn hours when you feel all worthy and wholesome instead of guilty and achy for once again not giving your body and soul what it needs. > > That has been my experience, anyway. I work out at home, so I can hit the iron on a whim. Thanks. I like that.