How to Restart Your Workout Routine After a Break

The question that comes to my mind is what do we mean by a break? I guess whoever initdially made the statement would have to be the one to say what they had in mind when the statement was made. From my vintage point I can see two distinctive angles.

First we can think about a break in the sense of an interruption in a cycle for whatever reason. Could be an injury or a new demanding workschedule that one has a hard time adjusting to. Whatever it may be this is usually unexpected and abrupt. The other perspective is a "break" in terms of a change of pace with the intention to return back to the routine at some point in time. This one implies a choice based on an attitude that may not be conducive to continuity or consistency. Again there are some variables here that changes the over all effect depending on what ones thought processes are. For example lets take a closer look at the question by asking ourselves another question....

A break from what?

A break from a particular type of training?

A break from the gym?

A break from living an active life style?

A break from healthy living?

Catch my drift?

I agree with Rania a successful fitness program does start in the mind. We have to set goals but in doing so we also have to make sure that we aren't shooting ourselves in the leg and in so doing set ourselves up for failure. I encourage my clients to think in terms of making a life style change. In other words a goal of consistency over the long haul. To realisticly see themselves as doing something from here on out and for the rest of their lives. You don't take a break from sleeping? Do you?

Sleep is an important body function. So is eating healthy. So is practicing personal hygeine. I would say working out or regular excercise of some form or the other ranks right up there with these others so that makes it somewhat rediculous to think in terms of taking a break from it. So like Rania says it begins with the mind and for some there need to be some rewiring or a paradigm shift in the way they think or see their world. Now if you fall down on program or was knocked out the saddle by injury thats another matter. I encourage my clients to plan for even these types of possibilites by quoting Les Brown. He says its not a matter of "if" you are going to fall but a matter of "when". Now you want to plan to get right back up immediately brush yourself off and get right back in the game. He says "try not to fall flat on your face, try to fall on your back because if you can look up you can get up". In other words plan for the long haul, set the right goal and not the one that sets you up for failure. For example, I want to lose 10 lbs. Question: What happens after you have lost 10 pounds. This does not mean this might not be a valid goal but the question is whether it is a goal in itself or a milestone on the way to a bigger goal like making a life style change from sedentary to active in order to live a healthier, happier more fulfilled life.

Ed Williams 12:51AM March 30, 2011