Refresher Course: Get Back into Fitness After the Holidays

So, the holidays are over and it’s back to work and school for all of us. Getting back into a routine can be hard after a long break, especially when it comes to exercising! Luckily, we’ve got some top tips on how to get yourself back in an exercise routine and back in the gym. You don’t want to break your New Year’s resolutions before the end of January, do you?

Don’t beat yourself up

You might feel like taking one or two cheat days (especially during the first week of January), which is totally fine! But don’t let these cheat days turn into cheat weeks! You might feel guilty for having those cheat days, especially after that second plate of Christmas lunch, but don’t beat yourself up — this can be an opportunity to see things differently and get motivated to start a whole new exercise routine!

Go slowly

If you’ve taken a long break from exercising, you might not be able to pick up where you left off. If you have stopped exercising in December, you probably won’t be able to start off again at the same intensity you were used to. Keep this in mind especially before your first day in the gym, and make sure you stretch properly beforehand. It might also be a good idea to start off with a lighter exercise such as yoga and pilates to get your body used to exercise again.

Get a game plan

Don’t just jump right back on the treadmill without preparing a routine. You’ll be more motivated to continue exercising if you have a set plan to follow, and you’ll less likely overwork yourself on the first day! You don’t want to tire yourself out before you’re completely back into the swing of things.

Adjust your diet

It can be hard getting your eating habits back to normal after a long holiday, but in order to feel your best, you’ll have to return to eating healthy and balanced meals. Diet and exercise go hand-in-hand and the better you eat, the better you’ll feel! This doesn’t mean you’ve got to go on a rigorous diet, but make sure to eat only at meal times (no more snacking all day!) and to eat as healthily as you usually do (or more!)