Planning on working out for the very first time but aren’t so sure of what you can expect? In this article, we will help you gain an understanding of the few things that you will experience during and after your first few times of beginning an exciting new workout regime.
To help you deal with setbacks, surround yourself with like-minded people. One great start is if you find Find a personal trainer who can help you each step of the way to achieve your goals.
Here are 5 tips on what to expect when you start working out for the first time:
#1 Severe soreness
Growing your muscles involves producing tiny tears in your muscle fibers, making them stronger. Typically, you could feel sore about one to three days after your workout. However, if you are working out for the first time, expect to feel extremely sore for up to a week. This is because your body is not accustomed to performing a particular exercise or having a severe continuous strain on a particular muscle group.
However, as you progress further into your fitness journey and stay consistent, the soreness is not going to be anywhere near as bad as it was the first time as your body and muscle are used to being put to work.
As legs are your biggest muscle group, if you plan on working them out for the first time ever, we would advise you to ensure that you don’t have anything planned over the next few days as you will be pretty sore.
#2 An increase in energy
Initially, it might feel like your sweat sessions are depleting you of all your energy, which is natural because your body is not used to spending that much energy every day. However, counterintuitively, you’ll soon start to feel a lot more energized.
In a study published by PLOS One,100 students who usually felt tired or exhausted were chosen. They asked 50% to run 3 times a week for 6 weeks, and the other 50% to go about their lives as they already do. The running half reported less exhaustion and naturally more energy than the half who were inactive.
#3 Improved sleep
As you exhaust yourself through exercise, you will begin to use a lot more energy than usual. Thus, at night, your body will be tired (in a good way) and will make your sleep significantly better as it will naturally crave it so that it can rest and prepare for the next day.
Besides sleeping well at night, increased sleep quality also does wonders for your fitness progress as well. This is because when you sleep, your body releases hormones that help with muscle repair.
#4 Increased Hunger
You might find yourself feeling hungrier after working out for the first time, but it’s not just in your head. You’re burning more calories than your body is used to, so it might be looking to replenish that energy. While you don’t need to starve, reach for healthier and beneficial for your body options to satisfy your hunger and help your muscles grow.
#5 Setbacks
While you may have been dedicated to the start of your new workout regime, it’s natural to have roadblocks along the way. It may be a weekend where you binged, or a week of not exercising. Whatever it may be, we’ve all been there, so don’t throw the towel in just yet. A bad week or even a lousy month shouldn’t deter you from your long-term goal to a healthier and happier life.
