Every new year brings the same promise: “now I’m going to exercise. But for many people in the U.S. Hispanic community, that intention falls by the wayside due to lack of time, fatigue, fear of injury or simply because they have never worked out before.
The good news is that starting from scratch is possible, and it doesn’t require a gym, expensive equipment or extreme routines.
Forget perfection: start with movement
One of the most important resolutions is to stop thinking that exercise has to be intense or long.
For those who have never trained, moving is already a victory.
Walking for 10 minutes, climbing stairs, stretching when you wake up or dancing to a song at home counts.
The goal is not to lose weight fast, but to create the habit.
Fewer big goals, more consistency
Many people give up because they set unrealistic goals.
Instead of aiming to train every day, start with 2 or 3 times a week, even with 10 to 15 minute sessions.
Consistency is worth more than intensity.
When the body adapts, exercise no longer feels like a punishment.
Listen to your body (really)
Starting from scratch involves learning to recognize the body’s signals. Pain is not the same as discomfort.
If something hurts, it stops.
If you get tired, you rest.
A good resolution is to respect your limits and progress slowly to avoid injury and frustration.
Exercise without gym or expenses
For many Latino families, the gym is not an option.
It’s all right.
Walking around the neighborhood, following free routines on YouTube, using a chair for basic exercises or taking advantage of time at home are effective ways to get started.
The most effective exercise is the one you can sustain.
Move for health, not for pressure.
Another key resolution is to change the focus.
Exercise is not just about weight.
It helps reduce stress, improve sleep, strengthen the heart and mental health.
When movement is connected with well-being and not guilt, it becomes easier to maintain it.
Involve others
Training alone can be difficult at first.
Walking with a family member, playing with your children, following a routine as a couple or with friends helps to create motivation.
Exercise can also be a time of connection.
Starting from scratch is not a failure, it is an act of courage.
The best exercise resolution for this year is simple: move a little more than you did yesterday, without comparing yourself to anyone else and celebrating every advance.
Because it’s not about training like an athlete, it’s about living with more energy and less pain.
