Getting Back to your Workouts
Between work, vacation, illness, weather and family obligations the reasons why you’ve missed your past several workouts can vary. Don’t let that discourage you from getting back to the gym, studio or wherever you find yourself getting sweaty. The occasional skip every now and then isn’t anything to lose sleep over. Skipping a workout from time to time can be a great way to rest and restore your mind and body.
However, when you miss your workouts for more than a week you could be unhinging all of the progress you have worked so hard to achieve. Not only does this depend on how long you’ve been away from the gym but also what type of workout you’ve been missing.
So what exactly happens when you take time off?
Missing or even easing up on your workouts for several weeks can reduce your lean muscle mass and cardiovascular fitness. When missing strength workouts or high intensity workouts you will notice a bigger difference when coming back to the gym and may have to work harder to regain your lost strength (so yes, if you find yourself back to the barre, those pulses might be a little harder than before). Regularly performed cardio workouts that build endurance, when missed have an adverse effect on your progress and can easily reverse cardiovascular fitness, so prepare to tire out faster than before in spin class. Your first day back to spin class might be difficult after a week at the beach! Soon enough, you’ll be right where you left off. Don’t let this discourage you!
How can I jump back into it?
Depending on how long you took off depends on how you will start. If you’ve been away for awhile jumping right back into it may not be for you. If you’ve missed a couple weeks then you will notice that your fitness level has decreased. If this is the case a lesser version of your previous workout would be a great start such as taking it easy on your next run or ride. If it’s been a month or so you will want to start with a less intense workout to kick off your reboot week such as yoga before you jump into spinning or running again!
Things to keep in mind!
It’s normal to fall off the wagon, you’re human and it happens! Focus on the present and how far you’ve come instead of obsessing over what you used to be able to do. Create a to do list that will help you achieve your reboot process and set attainable goals for yourself. Try smaller short term goals rather than huge overwhelming ones. Just because you could hold one position in barre the whole time before your vacation, doesn’t mean you wont be able to again, just maybe not your first day back. But, if it’s any consolation… we missed you :).