Back to the grind

After a week off exercise due to illness, you would think I would be itching to get back into my trainers.  Despite having ‘fresh legs’, the last thing I wanted to do when my alarm went off this morning was work out.  Unfortunately I had no excuses to even fall back on:  other than a runny tap of a nose cold, I am back to myself; it was not raining; I slept for a solid 10 hours; I was not pressed for time.

I know it’s unlikely to lose my fitness levels in just a week so it was definitely more of a mental block.  I played the “you’re one workout away from a good mood” card and ended up getting in a good sweat sesh-  looks like August is off to a good start :).  If you too are struggling to get back into your exercise routine after time-off:

  • Ensure you’re fully recovered: I used to ignore this, and end up doing more harm than good. Exercise is meant to energise you, not leave you feeling drained so get the medical clearance before re-starting your routine.
  • Fake it till ya make it: during my whole walk there, I kept telling myself how excited I was to get my legs moving.  Once I hopped on it, I started believing it…somewhat.
  • Strategically create a playlist: I made it a point to spread out my ‘upbeat’ songs rather than place them all at the top of my list.  When my motiavation started to dwindle after the 30-minute mark, a lil bit of Chamak Challo was a surefire way to get me to crank it up a notch: Akon + Bollywood= match made in heaven 🙂 .
  • Make it public: I know this may sound silly but Tweet/Facebook/tell a friend about your upcoming exercise plan.  When people start commenting, it’ll be such a cop out to reply that you didn’t end up doing it.
  • Be a Nike veteran, and by that I mean, Just Do It!  The more you think about it/postpone it, the less likely you will end up doing it.
  • Go easy on yourself: Before I started my run, I told myself that I could take as many walk breaks as necessary.  Even though I ended up only taking one, it was nice to know that the option existed.
  • Be realistic and recognize that your body may not be up to mark quite as yet: your goal should be to complete the workout, not smash it (but kudos if you do! 😉 )

How do you bounce back into exercise after time-off?

6 thoughts on “Back to the grind”

  1. karina chattlani

    Making it public is the way to go! Today had planned to go to a TRX class with a friend and an hour before the class called to say i wasnt going to make it (just because i was lazy – had no real reason to cancel) but she motivated me to go and when I was done so glad I worked out! On a side note: TRX is a must try class – just finished my 1st one adn really enjoyed it.
    Good on you starting August of with a good ol’ run!

  2. Love Chamak Challo! Haha yeah i have to remind myself how you never regret working out after the fact 🙂 and how good and accomplished I feel afterwards!

  3. While I’m kind of not a fan of the fake it till you make it thinking, I def. like to channel Nike when i work out.

    Right now I’m on a trip that is kind of like a vacation but not really, so I don’t know what I should do about workouts.

    I want to just sit all day long and enjoy the monsoon weather, but I know that if I want to enjoy all of this delicious Indian food, I need to get up and get moving.

    The problem with me is that I think I have shin splints…my left shin hurts like hell when I run, so I need to find more options.

    1. Ah I totally know what you mean- it’s so hard to be motivated when staying in seems like the better option during monsoons! If your shins are hurting, perhaps light cross training will be ok- i would defo take it easy though!

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