We all played sports at school, right? Joining the football team or playing basketball on the local courts was the best way to hang out with friends. It kept us fit and active, and we had fun. But then you go to college and find new hobbies. You get a job and start working all hours of the day. Suddenly five years have gone by, and you’ve barely even touched a football. You’re unfit, and starting to feel unhealthy. Sound familiar? Yep, us too. At the start of this year, we made a pact to get back in the game. Here’s how we did it; hopefully you can do the same.

Start watching sports again – There’s no better way to reignite that spark of passion than getting together to watch the game. Host the big match at your place, and get the guys around to watch it. Make it a weekly ritual, and start making sports a big part of your life again. The only way you’ll stick to a new routine of exercise and sports is by integrating it into your world. Get the sports apps on your phone, and start watching the highlights shows. Check out the new Mets schedule, and book tickets for the big games. Find that excitement, and focus on a sport you love.

Start slowly to build fitness – Before you jump back in at the deep end, start building that fitness back up. If it’s been a while, it will be harder than you think. Start with just a ten-minute jog to get your heart pumping and your lungs going. You can even do small exertions like walking to work instead of taking the car. Simple things will slowly build up your stamina and fitness. Maybe you could start a low resistance exercise like swimming.

Get the right gear and set goals – If you’re going to get involved with a sport, you need to commit to it. That means investing in the right gear and setting some targets. Once you’ve done that, there’s no going back! Head to DUC Sport to get your hands on running gear, tennis clothes, and other sporting wear. Now that you’re kitted out, you’re much more likely to get out there and exercise! All that’s left to do is set some goals. Give yourself some targets to reach and steps to take. Make them achievable and realistic. It will keep you going, and give you a sense of achievement.

Join a team – One way to make sure you stick to your new found motivation is to join a team. Getting involved in a team sport is so much more rewarding than going to the gym. You’ve got a group of teammates to cheer you on and keep you motivated. It also makes it a social occasion, so even if you have a bad session, you’ll still enjoy the social aspect. A good team gives you something to work towards. It gives you a reason to keep playing. Most importantly, it makes it fun.

Follow this advice, and you’ll be back at the top of your game in no time!