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8 Tips To Motivate Yourself to Get Back to An Active Lifestyle
Suppose you had a consistent workout routine but something happened, whether an injury, vacation, or pregnancy, that threw you off your game and made your routine no more than a distant memory. You know just as much as everyone else how difficult it is to get back to your active lifestyle and get the most out of your exercise routine so you can feel as energized and healthy as you once were.
But, while it is a challenge for everyone who’s taken time away from their routine, it is possible to get back to what you used to love. If you’re looking for advice and guidance on how to make positive changes, you have come to the right place, so here are eight tips to help you motivate yourself to get back to an active lifestyle.
Start Simple
As tempting as it is to five straight back into what you know you can (or rather could) do, this is a quick way to injure yourself, which means you’ll be back on the shelf quickly and perhaps for even longer.
The last thing you want is to get excited about your new active lifestyle only to ruin it because you were too cocky. So, it’s best to start simple and keep things manageable at first. You don’t need to hit it as hard as you used to, so take it easy and listen to your body. Eventually, you’ll get back to your best.
Combine Activities
One reason you aren’t as active as you used to be could be that you have gone through a lifestyle change. Maybe you got a new job that takes up too much time or you welcomed a baby into your life. While these changes can be difficult to work around, they are not impossible.
Combining activities can help you get back to an active lifestyle without risking being overwhelmed or not getting enough time to do other things. You can find active commutes to work or exercise at the office. You could also consider these ways to exercise with your baby to ensure you meet all their needs as well as your own.
Give Yourself A Reason
Many people need a reason to do something. This way, you can look at why you’re putting yourself through all this and know you’re doing i9t for the right reasons.
You can apply this to your exercise routine, too. Knowing that working out and living an active lifestyle makes you happier and benefits your health should be enough to motivate you. Of course, everyone has individual reasons, so don’t hesitate to dig deeper and get a better idea of what exercise means to you.
Don’t Expect Too Much Too Soon
Many people lose motivation to work out because they don’t see results immediately. This is true of anyone, but it can be more impactful for those who used to do much more than they’re capable of right now.
Knowing you can do something but struggling currently can demoralize you, especially if you know how much work you put in before. It’s better to be satisfied with every small amount of progress instead of expecting an overnight transformation, so don’t be so hard on yourself.
Prepare Everything The Night Before
If you struggle to force yourself to the gym or out for a run first thing in the morning, you will benefit from preparing everything the night before. If everything is already packed and ready to leave with you, it will feel like you’re cheating yourself by not going through with it.
The same goes for exercising after work. If you bring your gym bag and gear with you, there’s no excuse for you not to exercise. You can also look at reasons why you skip the gym and try to avoid triggers, such as going for drinks with friends or stopping by a fast-food place on the way home.
Find Alternatives To the Gym
People change, and you may feel like the gym is not for you anymore. This might be because you don’t feel comfortable there or the gym is too expensive to justify a habit that might not stick.
If you want to improve your ability before you commit to a gym membership, look for alternatives to build your fitness. The beach, park, or backyard are effective and free options to consider. You can spend as much or as little time exercising as you like, and it’s also a good way to build a habit before dedicating yourself to the gym.
Find Someone to Workout With You
Anyone unsure about how they will cope with getting back to an active lifestyle can find a friend or relative to join them. This approach makes you accountable for one another and ensures you don’t invest excuses to abandon your fitness journey too soon.
Working out with a buddy is a great way to check each other’s progress and provide further motivation. If you can’t find anyone, a personal trainer could be another solution that will give you the chance to learn from an expert, giving you a greater appreciation for how different workouts and exercises help you build your fitness.
Pick A Monthly Challenge
You don’t need to transform yourself overnight, and if you’re still looking for an activity or workout that works for you, monthly fitness challenges could inspire you. These challenges give you plenty of unique options that focus on different aspects of health and fitness, giving you the chance to explore activities you may not try otherwise.
As you are expected to do something every day, you’ll quickly develop a routine that can take months to establish. In doing so, you give yourself a solid platform to build upon which ensures you have all the tools, motivation, and discipline needed to maintain an active lifestyle again.
Back To It
Although you won’t find your previous conditioning immediately, the small steps you take with each activity will work wonders for your fitness and overall attitude. As the days and weeks go by, you’ll soon rediscover your passion for fitness and improve your ability to help you look and feel as good as you deserve to.
