Lets be honest, as much as we all want to be consistent with our workouts day after day, there’s just periods in life that either get too busy and you need to take a step back. Whether it’s being swamped with work, family obligations, or just big life changes don’t get too hard on yourself if you can’t be as consistent as you wish. Here are some tips on getting back into working out after a long break.
Find Your Motivation
Some people exercise simply because they want to, and they don’t need any external motivation to push them towards their fitness goals. While you might have been one of those people before your break from working out, taking a long hiatus can seriously dampen your drive and internal motivation, trust me, I know. This is why you need to find an external source of motivation so that you can get back to training with a spring in your step and some serious determination.
Whether your motivation is wanting to tone up, lose a few pounds, or want to be more active for your kids etc.. there is plenty of motivation around us. Take some time to write down your goals and get to work.
Set Realistic Expectations
Regardless of your previous fitness level or how long you took off from your normal sweat sessions, be prepared for an adjustment period as you get back up to speed. In fact, the first one or two weeks are all about acclimating your body to exercise again.
Start Slow
Instead of throwing yourself into the deep end with unrealistic fitness expectations, slowly ease yourself back into an exercise routine.
For instance since I use my Tonal machine a lot, sometimes when I take a little break I like to ease back into the swing of things by taking some “beginner” classes and easing my way into the more intermediate classes. I also allow myself more rest days in between sessions to recover. The last thing you want is to sustain an injury after a long hiatus from exercise, so know your body’s limits, and be sure to respect them.
Mobility & Recovery
Don’t forget the small stuff. Taking a few minutes to warm up for your workout, cool down, and stretch can make all the difference when you’re newly working out again. Not only will this make your workout go a bit smoother and feel a little less creaky, but it’ll hopefully save you a touch of soreness on the back end. Don’t forget to take rest days, sleep well, hydrate, and eat to support your movement. Those foundational practices will put you in the best possible to position to get back up to speed.
Do it For Yourself
Sounds obvious but don’t work out for anyone else but you. Being fit and healthy should be about making yourself feel great, having confidence and aiming to be your best. Remember to do this for you, not for anyone else or for how they think you should look. Each time you exercise, know that you have done something good for yourself and celebrate that.
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