Photo: Chalene Johnson's TurboFire/TurboKick Live
You finally get into a routine. You're eating all the right foods and exercising regularly. You're even starting to see the results of your hard work. Everything is going great! And then it happens...you miss one day, two days, and then YOU FALL INTO A SLUMP. All of a sudden, your confidence takes a nose dive and you feel genuinely awful, because you've stopped taking care of yourself.
Just know that YOU ARE NOT ALONE. I recently fell into a slump of my own. It's important to understand that it's going to happen from time to time, so you need to have some strategies in your back pocket that you can use to pull yourself up out of the funk.
Just know that YOU ARE NOT ALONE. I recently fell into a slump of my own. It's important to understand that it's going to happen from time to time, so you need to have some strategies in your back pocket that you can use to pull yourself up out of the funk.
DO NOT LET YOUR SLUMP BECOME YOUR LIFESTYLE
Based on my own experience, there are several things I can do to pick myself up and get back on track. Here are five strategies I use to break free from a fitness slump:
1) IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM
Consider why you stopped exercising. Can you simply chock it up to the law of physics (an object at rest will remain at rest...), or is there a deeper reason? Be honest with yourself, so that you can face the issue head on. Perhaps you were unable to complete a workout or finish a set that you were sure you'd be able to do, and you became so discouraged that you just gave up. For me, it was a break in my routine that started the slump. I stopped getting up early, and then I couldn't find any other time to do my workout. What started as an excuse one day became a bad habit over the course of a week. Once you identify the problem, you can move forward.
2) LET GO OF THE GUILT
You are most likely feeling a little disappointed in yourself. Guilty for giving up on yourself, if even for a brief period. Although these feelings are natural, they can be detrimental to your progress if you allow them. Understand that we all experience peaks and valleys. The good news is that you can stop the cycle and break free from the slump by simply forgiving yourself. Easier said than done, right? Recognize the highs and lows, and stop beating yourself up. Decide that you will never give up, no matter what. Once healthy living becomes a lifelong commitment, the peaks and valleys will start to level out resulting in greater balance.
3) ESTABLISH A NEW ROUTINE
Come up with a game plan in order to set yourself up for success. I've found that by establishing a routine and scheduling my daily workouts guarantees that I get it done. I have to wake up early and exercise before starting my work day. When I sleep in, I have more time to come up with excuses not to work out (please tell me I'm not alone in this)! That routine may not work for you, and that's okay. Take a look at your week, and block out time to exercise each day. Write it down or set a calendar reminder if that helps!
4) TRY A NEW GROUP EXERCISE CLASS
If you're still struggling to find your groove, mix it up! Try a new group exercise class or go back to an old one that you used to attend regularly. You may find that just by surrounding yourself with others who share common goals will give you that kickstart you need to get your groove back. And let's face it, group exercise classes are just plain fun!
5) TREAT YOURSELF TO SOME NEW GEAR
Are you wearing the same frumpy t-shirts day in and day out? Investing in some new workout gear may serve as an additional motivator. Go buy yourself a sassy new hat, a cute tank or even some bright socks! When it doubt, shop it out!
Living with purpose,
Danielle
Living with purpose,
Danielle