If you already find yourself in a slump this new year, you’re not alone. The unprecedented disruptions we’ve all experienced during these strange COVID times can test even the most seasoned athlete.
Maybe you’re coming back after being sick. Maybe you’re working from home with kids. Maybe you’re taking care of someone else while they’re sick, plus taking care of kids while working a full-time job. There are as many variations on the problem as there are people in the world. All of this contribute to a lack of time and/or energy to keep a workout routine going.
For anyone just starting out, this is genuinely demoralizing. But, believe me, you can do this. Here are five tips and tricks for getting back on track:
- Set SMART Goals. SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Not sure how to translate that to a workout routine? Join the January Kick Start challenge (https://eximofitness.com/2022-kick-start-challenge/). Meet with Coach Erica by January 31, 2022 to get practical advice and support on how to move forward and meet your 2022 goals.
- Hold yourself accountable. Make a commitment to text a workout buddy your progress, or track your progress through an app on your phone. Set up a point system and reward yourself for progress made. I find the best accountability system for myself is to sign up for group classes in Zen Planner. There are few guiltier feelings than texting your 5am coach that you’re not going to make it to class when you know good and well they got there half an hour early to open the door for you. (I see you, Coach DG.)
- Go easy on yourself. You might have a running pace in mind or a bench press weight in mind from a while back. Don’t expect yourself to start there. If you start there you set yourself up for disappointment (bad) and risk injury (worse). Yes, it is frustrating to see that you’re not as fast or as strong as you used to be, but take a moment and acknowledge that your routine has been disrupted and congratulate yourself for taking steps to get healthier. You will snap back much faster than you think you will. Muscle memory is real. Give it time.
- Try fitness snacking. If an hour-long workout sounds daunting, try breaking that 60 minutes up throughout the day. Four 15-minute workouts still gets you to an hour of physical exercise. And if one day you’re only able to get one in 15-minute workout, so be it. Something is better than nothing.
- Just keep moving. You might feel as slow as a herd of turtles stampeding through peanut butter. That’s okay. Somehow, someway, just keep moving. With time and consistency, you will get better.
Eximo has some great stuff coming up in February!
- Yoga
- Kids Classes
- Axe Masters
- The CrossFit Open
Stay tuned for dates and times. Until then, keep sweating, friends!
Keep sweating!
Meghan
