“Back to School”

Getting back to working out regularly after a prolonged time away can feel a bit like going back to school.

• You might feel a mix of excitement and dread as you consider your first visit back to the gym.
• Once you get there, you might either feel energized and happy or sluggish and awkward as you go through your first workout.
• You might see some new equipment (or have a new class) and not know quite what to do.
• You might wonder where you ever found the time to do your homework (or your regular workouts).

Have I convinced you to stay home yet? ;-)Here are some strategies that can help:

• Get in touch with your “why.” Remind yourself of your most meaningful reasons for exercising, eating well and staying healthy.
• Find something you love to do. In school, you might well have had a favorite class, subject or teacher. Make sure to put activities and people you enjoy into your fitness mix.
• Use the buddy system. A friend who knows your fitness goals can provide support, help you stay on track as an “accountability buddy” and maybe even offer some friendly competition that motivates you.
• Move up to the next grade level when you’re ready. Maintaining your fitness is actually about continuous improvement. You have to keep challenging yourself appropriately to adapt to new things. If you’re not sure how to advance or adapt your workout, ask your trainer or group exercise instructor for guidance.
• Do your homework. If you have regular exercises or workouts to do on your own – assigned by your trainer or physical therapist for example – do your very best to get those in. The more consistent you are with following a plan, the more likely you will be to see the results you are looking for.
• Build yourself some structure: Build your training sessions, class and workout times into your weekly schedule. Make sure you have your workout gear ready to go ahead of time so it’s there when you need it.
• Don’t believe everything you read. There is a wealth of information on fitness available online these days. It can be a challenge to sift through what may often seem like conflicting material to figure out what’s right for you. Read with a critical eye and ask the opinion of fitness professionals whom you know and trust to help you navigate.
• Give yourself a gold star! Recognize and celebrate your successes – even the small ones! As those small successes start to accumulate, you’ll be able to look back and see how far you’ve come. It will help you build confidence in your ability to keep learning and improving!