Spring is here, and suddenly, the thought of wearing a swimsuit is as terrifying as realizing you’ve been on mute for an entire Zoom meeting. If winter had you snuggled up with comfort food and minimal movement (except for enthusiastic snacking), you are not alone. However, fear not—March is here to shake off the hibernation. Let us stumble our way back into fitness together.
It starts innocently enough—you spot your swimsuit in the drawer and, in a moment of misguided optimism, decide to try it on. With a small quantity of pulling, a few deep breaths, and some strategic adjusting later, you conclude that either the suit shrunk or winter was perfect for you. Either way, it is time to get moving. First, you consider a few toe-touches, maybe a sit-up. However, within minutes, you’re lying on the floor contemplating the meaning of life while your dog licks your face in what feels like an intervention.
Returning to the gym after months away feels a bit like being a baby giraffe learning to walk—awkward, wobbly, and slightly terrifying. The treadmill seems faster, the weights heavier, and suddenly, you’re that person stretching dramatically to delay actual exercise. You hop on the elliptical, pretending you know what you’re doing, only to realize the resistance is set to “Hercules mode,” your legs now feel like cooked spaghetti. You power through until a tiny old lady next to you starts sprinting, and that is your cue to take another water break (read: scrolling on your phone for ‘motivational quotes’).
If the thought of burpees makes you question your life choices, fear not—there are better ways to get moving. Go for a brisk walk, try a low-impact dance class (interpretive shimmying counts), or let your dog drag you through the neighbourhood like an unwilling sled. You could also try yoga, assuming you enjoy getting stuck in positions without an exit strategy. If you have ever rolled sideways out of a downward dog, you are not alone.
Fitness is not just about sweating but also about not feeling like you got hit by a truck the next day. Drink water, stretch (yes, really), and accept that while one salad is great, it will not magically erase three months of hibernation. If you’ve ever rewarded yourself for a 20-minute workout with a double cheeseburger, know that you are my kind of person. Progress, not perfection, is the goal.
March is about getting back into movement, even if it is clumsy and slightly ridiculous. So embrace the missteps, celebrate the tiny wins (like surviving spin class without falling off the bike), and remember: if Forrest Gump could start running one day, so can you. Who is up for a “leisurely” jog that turns into a comedic struggle?
Amy Tucker is a University Instructor at Thompson Rivers University and proudly calls herself an “accidental athlete.” As a senior swimmer and long-distance open-water enthusiast, she has represented Team Canada on the Age-Group Triathlon Team for the past three years. Amy is passionate about encouraging others to embrace fitness and wellness at any stage of life, proving it’s never too late to chase new challenges.