7 Best Ways to Get Back in Shape
When life gets busy, it becomes too easy to fall out of your regular exercise routine. One week off turns into two and the next thing you know, all your fitness progress is gone to waste. As intimidating as it is to get back in shape, it’s never too late to start working out again. Anyone can get back into it with the right attitude and a few smart changes. Here are 7 best ways to get back in shape:
Know why you stopped exercising the first time.
You may have lost your whole routine as life got more problematic during the pandemic, or you just simply lost the confidence to go to the gym. Whatever it is, the first thing you should do is ask yourself why you stopped exercising in the first place. It’s crucial to understand why you got off track so you don’t fall into the same pattern. Knowing what went wrong last time can help you find a solution to keep yourself from abandoning your fitness routine all over again.
Start small.
It’s best to start small when you’re getting back into working out as you need to build up your strength and stamina again. Just because you used to run 30 miles a week, you can pick up where you left off. Try running 10 miles a week to start. Small progress is still progress and this way will help you safely transition back into a full routine.
Set realistic goals.
Setting short-term, realistic goals are key when you’re getting back to working out again. Stick to something simple like working out thrice a week for 30 minutes, then build and increase as you progress. Having a timeline and specific action steps will help you stay on track as well. Have performance-based goals rather than body-based ones so you’ll view fitness as a part of your lifestyle, not just a temporary fix to fit into a dress for an occasion.
Consistency = key
You need to build structures that make it impossible to fail when you’re rebooting your fitness routine, says an ACE-certified trainer, Amanda Dale. If it means signing up for a group workout class, or personal training sessions with a trainer, then do it. She says, “No matter what you’re trying to achieve, working toward it on a consistent, no-excuses schedule is the only way to get there”.
Evaluate and adjust.
Since getting back in shape is quite a challenging journey that might take time, it’s a good idea to check with yourself regularly to see if your routines are still effective. Track your workouts and review the results every 3 – 4 weeks and reassess as needed. However, before you change your workouts, keep in mind that factors like stress, diet, and sleep can all affect your progress. If you’re still seeing lag in your results with all of these factors on point, then it’s time to tweak your workout routines.
Celebrate your progress.
It’s important to maintain your motivation throughout your fitness journey and one way to do that is by acknowledging how far you’ve come. This is a great way to stay on track with your goals. Have a weekly reflection on your progress and treat yourself to a massage for showing up to all the HIIT classes at the gym. Celebrate small victories!
Create an accountability system.
It’s not just all about self-discipline, willpower, and motivation to be able to follow through with your workouts. When sticking to your routine, accountability plays a big role. At the end of the day, to succeed in rebuilding your fitness regime is just a matter of whether or not you show up. To stay on track with your training, try joining a local fitness club with a friend or even investing in a personal trainer. A community, a gym buddy, or a coach will hold you accountable for your goals – this is a foolproof way to stay on top of your fitness game because you will have fun along the way.
It’s always possible to get back into the fitness game no matter how long it’s been since you last exercised. You just have to be willing to start. We’re here to make it your best kickstart ever. Let’s help you make healthy happen again in the best way possible with the most supportive fitness community in the Macarthur area – Anytime Fitness Minto.
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