Getting Back into Fitness

Realize That Falling off the Horse Is Normal – Too often people fall off the horse and think that they are too far gone to get back onto the horse. But the fact is that no one is perfect and it is quite easy to skip gym time or fall back into eating unhealthy. The key is to realize that it is normal and refocus on your goals.

Evaluate Your Losses Objectively, without Judgment – If it has been quite a while since you have hit the gym or stuck to a healthy eating lifestyle, then you must evaluate where you used to be (fitness wise) and where you are now. The best way to try and prevent falling of the horse again is to know what caused it in the first place and to realize how far you had come before you stopped.

Create a workout schedule/plan – One of the best ways to get into or get back into fitness is to set up a workout schedule. If you take the time to put it in your calendar and set a reminder, you are more likely to actually go to the gym. But do not only set up your workout times, also plan your exercise routine. If you know what you are going to do ahead of time, then you can get your mind and body prepared and you will not be wandering around the gym trying to figure out a routine.

Don't overdo it right away – When getting back into fitness, a lot of people tend to do exercises and lift weights they did before. But depending on how long it has been since you have been in the gym, that may not be a great idea. You should always listen to your body and do not push it beyond its current capabilities. Otherwise you could hurt yourself or even discourage yourself from coming back to the gym.

Set attainable goals to keep you focused – Reaching a certain goal is the whole reason you are exercising and eating healthy. But the key is to set goals that are realistic. Losing weight takes time and gaining muscle takes time, so do not over reach on your goals. Take time to do some research and find out what a realistic goal and timeframe could be based upon what you are trying to achieve.

Buddy up – One of the best motivators to get active, stay active and eat healthy is to do it with another person. Each of you can hold each other accountable for showing up for workouts or choosing healthier foods.