It happens every year. Just as you begin to develop your own personal workout routine, and you’re determined to stick with it… everything comes to a halt. Whether it’s school, a job, or the holidays, there is always something that forces many people- including myself- to push their workout routines to the side. The days turn into weeks, and before you know it, it’s been a month (or more!) since you last set foot inside a gym. If this sounds like a familiar story, then you’re probably also aware of how difficult it can be to get back into your old exercise habits. In an attempt to revive your motivation, I’ve compiled a list of 5 easy tips to get you back on track with your workouts. I realize that there are several ways out there to rekindle that workout spark, but these are just a few that I have personally found to be most effective. Hopefully, these tips can ignite that inspiration inside of you, and you can successfully delve back into your gym routine!
1. Buy some new workout gear. Forget the frumpy t-shirts and baggy sweat pants… if you want to feel good and look good while working out, opt for new workout gear that’s a bit more flattering. Several stores, such as Target and Kohl’s, sell awesome workout clothes at affordable prices. After purchasing your new workout wardrobe, you’ll want to put it into use immediately. This may seem like a silly tip, but trust me, it totally works.
2. Create a rockin’ iPod playlist. Most people enjoy listening to their favorite tunes while working out. However, when your playlist suddenly skips to one of those sentimental T-Swift songs, it can totally kill an energetic mood. To prevent this from happening, create a separate “workout” playlist on your iPod, including 15-20 of your favorite upbeat, blood-pumping songs. Set the playlist on repeat and before you know it, your 1 to 2-hour workout session will be complete.
3. Pack your gym bag. So, this may seem a bit obvious. However, just the simple act of packing a gym bag or putting on workout gear can be enough motivation to get you up and out the door. It’s easy, really. Step 1- Get up. Step 2- Pack your gym bag/change into your workout clothes. By performing this minute task, you’ll be much more likely to follow through with your plans.
4. Schedule your workouts. After classes get back into full swing and professors begin to pile on the work, many people tend to neglect their previous exercise routines. While keeping up with course work is extremely important, you shouldn’t completely forget about your physical health. In order to stay on top of your workout routine, write it into your schedule. You’ll find that if you dedicate time during the day to exercising, you’re more likely to follow through with it.
5. Pace yourself. If you’ve taken a long break from your exercise routine, it might not be a good idea to dive immediately back into your old workout habits. Instead, gradually work your way back up to your previous performance level. This may require decreasing the amount of weight you use while strength training or lessening the intensity/duration of your cardio session. By doing this, you’re giving your body time to adjust to physical activity again and avoiding injuries. After progressively warming your body back up, you’ll be back into your routine before you know it.