This past year has been tough on everyone. The Covid-19 pandemic has changed all of our lives, but now there is light at the end of the tunnel and we can all start looking towards the bright future that is ahead.
However over the past year, you might have fallen out of your routine; You might have slacked a bit on certain aspects of life. I know I certainly have. So how can we get back into routine? Let’s take a look at a few simple steps.
1. Don’t be too hard on yourself
It’s easy to beat yourself up over falling off the wagon, but know that it happens. The year has been tough, so don’t be too upset that you haven’t kept up your exercise routine or you haven’t stuck to your diet. There are far worse things that could’ve happened. So draw a line under it and move on!
2. “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail”
Planning is a great way to visualise your route back to normality. Be it planning your meals, your workouts, your family holidays or just what you are going to do on your first day of freedom. Planning and preparing gives us clarity, meaning we are less likely to get distracted and put off our plans. This leads us into point 3…
3. Don’t delay
When you have spent some time planning, you are already half way to getting back into a routine. You’ve already done the hard work of getting everything ready, so why not start straight away? We’ve all had something to do and left it; Kept pushing it back… “I’ll do it tomorrow”. Well, tomorrow becomes the next day, and the next, and then 2 weeks later it’s still not been done. So why waste all the hard work? Start it as soon as you can.
4. Keep it simple
To start with, keep it simple. Try not to put the pressure on yourself to exercise once a day and eat healthy every meal. Start small and build up. Start by going for a walk at lunch or after work, or doing a half hour workout instead of watching Netflix on the sofa. Try and do too much and you’ll make it harder for yourself and end up giving up. 5 completed small steps are better than 1 failed big one.
5. Enjoy it
Do things you enjoy. Go and walk the dog in the beautiful (hopefully) spring evenings. Meet up with family & friends at the weekends and have a walk and a picnic. Make up for lost time over the past year. You’re more likely to stick with a routine if you enjoy it. So, try and find as much pleasure from it as possible. You deserve it.
PGPT has again been recognised amongst the leading trainers in the UK in a recent article from one of the leading health and fitness educators, Origym. Our online personal training programs are leading the sector in their detail, support, and outcomes for our clients. Read more here.
Don’t worry if your routine doesn’t work at first. Everyone’s lives are different and always changing. Make small tweaks and changes to your routine until you find the one that works for you. It’s going to take time to get used to and get right, so don’t panic and give up if it doesn’t work straight away. Keep making those changes until you are in a routine that works for you and that you enjoy!