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So, you took a bit of time off your workout regime, and now you’re struggling to get back at it. Maybe you extra day went from one day to a week. Maybe your break has really encompassed your entire life and you’re ready to change your lifestyle. Sometimes a break is the result of vacation, illness, or in my case laziness. Whatever the case may be, getting active after taking a break is one of the hardest things to do.
Find A Buddy
Finding a work out buddy is one of the simplest ways to get active after taking a break. Having someone to go to the gym with gives you accountability. When one of you doesn’t want to go, the other makes them, and while working out you have a spotter if necessary as well as someone to push you a little harder.
Do What You Love
Have you always had one particular exercise style that you love to do? Running. Deadlifts. Mine is swimming. If possible to go back to doing what you love to do, that might just give you all the motivation that you need.
Invest Some Dollars
It’s a fact that most people are inclined to get their monies worth out of something. If that something is a gym membership or a registration fee then so be it.
Take A Class
Signing up for a class is another great way to get back at it. The group setting is also great for accountability, and you might even fall in love with a new work out style. Take a peek at my HITT post if you’re looking for some inspiration.
Get Out Of The House
I know so many people who are able to work out at home, I am not one of those people. I need to get out of the house and workout somewhere else. Somewhere like a gym works best for me. Having other people around makes me more inclined to work hard. Others peoples results are often my own motivation.
Start Small
If you take a significant amount of time off from your work out routine, you can not expect to jump right back in where you left off. Start off slow, shorter distances, lighter weights. Before you know it you will be back where you were before you took time off, and soon surpassing those.
Getting back into your program is one of the hardest things to do, in regards to a workout routine. Whatever your reason for the break, the important thing to remember is that you’ve made the decision to get back at it. Hopefully, these tips help you get back on track.
These are great ideas to start back!! I’m definitely going to try a few 😉
These are really great ideas.
For me, I often try to force myself to exercise doing activities that I hate. I don’t like running. So why do I always try to get back into running?
I’m going to take your advice and take a dance class. I love dancing and it’s fun for me. Plus the class will give me good structure and if I pay for it up front, I’m more likely to go 😉
Thanks for the ideas!
Dancing sounds perfect for you!
I’ve been on a long break…very long. lol I want to ease back into some classes but I’m not able to right now because my toddler is super shy and cries when I try to leave her in child care. (I’m one of those moms who can’t bare to let them cry. lol) I need to just start doing something at home, even if it’s as simple as push ups and squats throughout the day.
I try to do squats a calf raises while brushing my teeth!
Great and accurate advice. My girls were my main source of fitness during the summer, bike riding, walking, skating, swimming. And when school let back in, that drastically decreased or came to a screeching halt I’m finally getting back into a rhythm and they are still my workout buddies!
I totally needed this list! I’ve stopped my routine and it feels so overwhelming to get started again. I’m going to shake it up with your suggestions!
I am working on getting active after taking a 6 month break. It is harder than it should be.
These are great tips! I’m trying to get motivated again after having babies and it’s so tough! I’m definitely going to need to start small!
These are super helpful since I just had a baby and plan on getting back to the gym. It can be really hard to stay consistent when you’ve been away from it for so long!
preaching to the choir over here!
I totally struggle with this! I have a break from work in January and February and I just find myself falling into a rut where I’m not getting out of the house or being active. These are great tips, and I totally agree, you need to get yourself out of the house!