It's Spooky Season!

If you’re like me, scary movies don’t work on you. Monsters under the bed? A murderous doll? A deadly videotape? Michael Myers still isn’t dead?! I don’t fall for the classic tropes. At least, not anymore. When I was a kid, though, I did get scared. I spent many restless nights laying in bed and staring up at the ceiling in fear until it finally hit me, it’s not real - it’s just in your head. When I first started exercising regularly, I noticed that same insecure feeling began creeping into my mind. I’d start overthinking everything I did. How I looked, how long I exercised for, the things I was and wasn’t doing. It became discouraging. It wasn’t long before I realized that - just like the nightmares I used to get from scary movies - all of those insecurities that made me anxious about exercising were, well...just in my head. Here are some of the biggest fears I had when I began working out and some of my own personal tips for overcoming them!

I'm Afraid...

I Don't Know Where To Start

That’s okay. Because all that really matters is that you start. Some people get anxious when they think of showing up to the gym and walking around aimlessly. So, go in with a plan. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Maybe, start with a light goal of just spending 15 minutes on one specific machine, like the treadmill. If you don’t know how to use a machine, ask someone at the gym for help. If it’s still too overwhelming and you don’t want to spend money on a gym membership, there are plenty of exercises you can do from the comfort of your own home! Check out this bodyweight workout led by KoreHealth athlete and Super Mom, Leilani, that you can do at home! These exercises are super basic and will help you to build baseline muscles if you’re a beginner. Remember - doing something is ALWAYS better than doing nothing. It also helps to get a tool that helps you stay on top of your workouts and track your progress. With the Kore 2.0 smart fitness tracker, you can track your health 24/7. Monitor your heart rate in real-time while also counting how many steps you take, calories you burn, and SO MUCH MORE at just a glance.

I'm Afraid...

I'll Be Judged By The Way I Look

For some, doubts about the way we look is what motivates us to go to the gym, for others, it’s exactly the thing that keeps us away. The more you exercise, the more endorphins your body will produce and the more confident you will become. So, be kind to yourself and take it slow. One of the first things to remember is: people aren’t judging you nearly as much as you think they are. Most gym-goers generally respect anyone else who is spending time in the gym working to improve. Go somewhere you feel supported. Another mistake that people tend to make when they start exercising - especially when their goal is to lose weight - is measuring their progress by the number they see when they step on the scale. Don’t focus on things that discourage you. What matters is improving your overall health. Use the KoreScale biometric smart scale to track over a dozen vital health and body metrics so you know exactly what you’re improving! Let KoreScale show you where you’ve built muscle, how hydrated you are, and the percentage of fat in your body. With KoreScale, you can track the things that really matter.

I'm Afraid...

I'm Not Strong Enough

Can’t do a single push-up or a sit-up? Have no fear! STOP worrying about how you look when you're working out. There’s different ways to do everything. Do it your way. There are so many different modified exercises you can do so you can still get a proper workout. If you struggle with pushups, try doing them on your knees. If pull ups are too difficult, just hang from the bar for 15 to 20 seconds. Are free weights too heavy or intimidating? Have you ever tried resistance bands? KoreTense resistance bands are recommended by physical therapists and professional athletes all the time because they are such a safe and effective way to build strength - especially for seniors. Resistance bands are a great alternative to free weights and in some cases, a better one.

I'm Afraid...

I'll Be Sore For The Rest Of The Day

You won’t be if you recover the right way! So many people make the age-old mistake of stretching before and after a workout. What they don’t know is this can cause more harm than good. Check out this blog about smarter ways to stretch and other tips for feeling good throughout a workout. After all, time spent recovering from your workout is just as important as the time spent completing it. KoreHealth has multiple tools to help you recover properly before AND after workouts. KorePulse and KoreSurge are powerful massage tools that feature effective vibration therapy that improves blood flow and pulverizes knots and tight muscles. Meanwhile, KoreSphere is a unique and versatile massage ball that provides dual temperature relief. Want the feeling of a hot stone massage? Or, maybe you just need a cold compress? You’re in luck, because KoreSphere can do both.

Leave those fears in the past! You got this!