Get Back into Your Fitness Routine

I keep a pretty solid workout routine most of the time. Lifting weights three days a week and riding my bike three days a week (indoor bike during bad weather and winter). A couple of times a year though I take a break from that routine to keep myself fresh. Usually around the winter holidays I back-off a bit for a modified routine. I find a short break makes me stronger and re-energized when I jump back in.

       While that break is beneficial to my body and brain, it can be difficult to get back into the routine after even a short time off. It’s amazing how quickly we get used to not working out. Getting back into the routine is tough and it takes a lot longer to get back into it than to fall out of the workout habit. The siren call of the couch is strong.

      Re-adjusting your mindset to getting back to the gym can be hard. Not only does it take a lot of repetition and time to set any routine, but working out takes energy and motivation. Both of those need to be marshaled to get going again, and to keep going. I workout at home so that eliminates the drive to the gym (and the excuse to not go during cold or inclement weather). It’s much tougher to have an excuse not to go into my basement.

      Having a purpose driving your workouts and setting realistic goals will help you get back on track and stay there. I like to eat, and I love good beer, and I know that if I don’t work out regularly there will be significant health consequences. Daily checks on the scale reinforce that! I don’t take daily weight changes too seriously though as there are always ups and downs. Instead, my goal is to stay on a general downward trend as I work toward my weight goal. As for bike rides, I strive to ride longer and farther. Again, not day-to-day, but over time.      

      While it’s ultimately up to me to keep on track, one of our cats, Bailey, helps me stick to my weight routines. When I get moving in the morning, she often sits by the basement door waiting for me to go down to my workout room. She will then hang out and purr while I work out, with breaks to pet her of course. She’s my kind of trainer!

      Whatever your fitness routine, make sure to keep it fresh by doing things you enjoy. Take short breaks once in a while to allow your body and brain to rest and change it up periodically to help keep you motivated. It doesn’t matter what you do, what matters is that you do something to keep your body moving. Taking even a few minutes a day instead of staying on the couch will yield great benefits for body and mind. I always feel a sense of accomplishment after a workout. So get up and get moving, you’ll be glad you did.  

www.RetiredandInspiredat55.com  1-27-2025