Getting Back Into Fitness When You Fall Off Track

Posted by Connie in Blog

If you think you’ve got your fitness routine down so tight that absolutely nothing can unravel it, you’re in for a rude awakening. Everyone, regardless of fitness level, falls off their fitness plan at more than one point in their life. After all, we’re only human. Certain situations temporarily put fitness goals on hold, such as a family crisis, a death of a loved one, illness or injury. And what diet and exercise regimen hasn’t been derailed by holiday festivities and vacations? The sooner you anticipate these unexpected bumps in the road, the easier–and sooner–you’ll get past them.

Getting back on track is much easier when it’s done sooner rather than later. The longer you put it off, the more your reasons for doing so turns into excuses that start to make sense. And while you’re waiting for the “right” time to get back on the treadmill and toss out those Krispy Kremes, you regain the weight you worked so hard to lose in half the time it took to shed it. Getting back into the fitness groove is hard enough without having to lose weight you already lost–again.

If it’s been months since you’ve last worked out, check in with your doctor to make sure there are no health issues to address before you get started. Better to be safe than sorry. Once you have your doctor’s okay, slowly ease back into your exercise regimen. Gradually work back up to the intensity level you achieved before you got sidetracked. Not only will this give your muscles time to get back into condition, it will minimize the risk of injury.

Exercise works best when combined with a healthy diet. If you’ve been eating everything unhealthy these days, gradually cut back on those foods until your diet consists primarily of healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables, lean meats, poultry and fish, diary products (or lactose-free products if you’re lactose-intolerant) and whole grains. Don’t forget to drink plenty of water every day, and definitely don’t deprive yourself. It’s better to enjoy your favorite “bad” foods in moderation than to end up gorging on them after a long period of going cold-turkey. (Eat forbidden foods on your workout days so you can work off the calories.)

Don’t make getting back on the fitness track harder than it has to be. Don’t waste time nor energy berating yourself for falling off track. Forgive yourself, move on and don’t look back. Chalk it up to a lesson in overcoming challenges and coming out stronger than ever. Isn’t that what fitness is all about?