4 Tips for Returning to Your Fitness Routine After the Holidays
The holidays are around the corner, which means it’s that time of the year again for festivities and celebrations full of mouthwatering meals. It’s also that time for exchanging presents and bonding with loved ones—even though this year will certainly be different from the previous ones.
Amidst all the things that the health crisis changed, one thing remains the same: the holidays aren’t really the best time for fitness commitments. With busier schedules and the ever-increasing presence of tasty treats, it can be hard to stick to your diet and exercise routines.
The good news is that it’s alright to enjoy the festivities. You can indulge once in a while to satisfy your cravings and stop feelings of deprivation. You can also skip your gym appointments to spend more time with your family. Don’t beat yourself up about it!
However, take note that you will have to return to your routine once the celebrations are over. This may seem pretty straightforward at the moment, but don’t underestimate the power of the holiday slump! It can make you feel sluggish, lazy, or simply not in the mood for any physical activity!
Here are some smart tips you can follow to successfully get back into your groove after the festivities:
1. Be Kind to Yourself
The fundamental step you need to take to be able to return to your routine is to be kind to yourself. Don’t be too hard on yourself for letting your fitness habits slip. Rather, forgive yourself, acknowledge that you may make mistakes at times, and move on. Remember that this is just a small setback and that you can always pick yourself back up.
With this, you’ll be able to keep moving forward and plan how you will do things differently next year without negative feelings.
2. Ease Back into Your Routine
While you may be excited to return to your old program, remember that getting back takes time. This is especially true if you have been inactive for a month or two.
Take it slowly but surely—set small, realistic goals at first. This will bring back your confidence, bring back your fire with every small victory, and keep you focused on your goal.
3. Find a Workout Buddy
Finding a workout buddy is among the most commonly promoted ways to stay committed to diet and exercise routines, and for a good reason. Having an exercise buddy means having someone to hold you accountable. Moreover, it means having the social and emotional support you need right when you need it the most. Finally, working out with someone else makes the activity more fun than it already is!
With that said, since the pandemic is still ongoing, stay safe by finding a virtual buddy or joining an online community.
4. Remind Yourself of Your Whys
There will be times where you’ll feel discouraged or simply out of it. There will be days where you won’t want to leave your bed or cook your own meal. You can get through these times by reminding yourself of the reasons why you’re in this health and fitness journey in the first place. If it helps, list all these reasons down and put them up in places you can easily see.
Regularly reminding yourself of your larger purpose will spur you on and keep you on the right track.
Conclusion
There’s nothing wrong with enjoying the festivities during the holiday season. However, you must be prepared to overcome the holiday slump and return to your routines once the festivities are over. While this will not be easy, don’t be discouraged—it’s not impossible! The four tips mentioned above will help you get back to your grind and resume your quest to smash your fitness goals!
Looking for an interesting way to kick off your fitness routine after the holidays? Consider enrolling in stretch classes in Sydney, Australia at Stretch Studio! Our trained Flexologists will guide you through one-on-one assisted stretching sessions that are personalized and perfectly safe. Visit our website today to book a stretch!