Simple Tips to Get Back in Shape
By Sara Butler
So, you’ve been slacking off getting yourself to the gym lately? Don’t sweat it too much, you’re only human! You have to shake off the last few weeks or months and get ready to start again. Here are a few simple tips you can use to get you back in the fitness zone.
Tip No. 1: Give Yourself a Fresh Start
You cannot expect after a gym hiatus to step right back into where you were. If you do, you’re putting yourself at risk for injury. It’s best to just think of it in terms of giving yourself a fresh start because chances are you will be slower and weaker than you were before. Practice patience and discipline and you’ll be back to where you were before you know it.
Tip No. 2: Get Back to the Basics
When using weights or resistance training, you will need to start at about 10 percent less than where you were before. Try the lower weight and assess how you’re feeling after a couple of sets, then adjust. You will need to do this the first week or two after you get back on the fitness wagon.
Tip No. 3: Have a Plan
It’s great to have a plan mapped out in your head, but you also need to put pen to paper. Schedule your workouts to help get back on track so you know exactly what you’re doing and when. This will help you resist the urge to blow it off and also be more efficient with your time. Don’t be afraid to get specific about what you’re going to do and when; the more specific you are the better it will go for you.
Tip No. 4: Don’t Forget About Flexibility
Your schedule may have to be flexible, but the flexibility you need to be concerned with is that of your body. Don’t forget to take the time ibetween your cardio and strength training to work on your flexibility. You should always take the time to warm up before you workout and stretch after you are done. If you don't, you may increase your risk of sustaining an injury – which may be the very thing that took you out in the first place. No repeat performances, please.
Getting back to a fitness routine after you’ve been away can be a challenge, but it is possible if you just take it one step at a time. Believe it or not, your chiropractor is a great resource if you have questions about getting back into shape. Ask about it during your next adjustment at The Joint Chiropractic!
