We’ve all got our goals and resolutions ready now that the New Year is here! When the sheltering-in-place orders came down it became a major upending even for everyone. It also was the perfect excuse to stop working out. After all, if you can’t go to the gym, what can you do? Putting aside the many online exercise options, you might have taken a break from working out and been completely justified. Now, it is time to get back into your workout routine. You just want to make sure you’re doing it the right way.
Check Your Motivation
The main goal of working out would seem to be to “look good” in the clothes that we wear. There is nothing wrong with wanting to look good but you should dig a bit deeper with your motivation. Start with a visit to your doctor. They might recommend that you target a specific amount of weight loss as part of your overall workout plan. That’s a good motivation to stay focused on.
Take Your Time
Here’s the bad news: A short break from the gym can undo some of the gains you’ve made. How short of a break? Just a week off from working out can be a setback. That might mean your extended time off is really going to be like starting over again. That’s okay. You’ve got this. You just have to go slow. In other words, you can’t pick up with you left off in terms of the weights you were using. You might need to dial it back until your body has a chance to catch up.
Don’t Change Everything
Diet and exercise are part of the complete wellness package. However, you might want to hold off on changing all aspects of your diet until you get back into your workout routine. That way you won’t feel overwhelmed with all the changes that you’re making. Again, go slow. Maybe start by adding a power smoothie. After that, you can focus on portion control.
Think Before and After
Stretching is always important before a workout. It is equally important to the post-workout time, too. You don’t just want to hit the treadmill, run five miles and then walk away. Add in cool down and pre/post stretching time to get all the benefits. That stretching can also help you reduce the risk of injury.
Add More Activity
You might block out an hour for workout time in the gym but you shouldn’t stop being active when the hour is up. Look for ways to add more activity throughout your day. You can get in some stomach crunches while watching TV. You can take the stairs instead of the elevator. That can help reduce the workout decline.
We hope these tips help you stay on track with your 2021 fitness goals!
