With the holiday season ending, it is time to get back on track.

Most of us know we ate and drank too much and fell out of our usual routine.

In turn, you might be dreading going back into the gym because you know it will feel different (and harder) than before the holiday season. 

But, we are here to remind you that the only way to get back into your normal routine (or to set a new one), is to just START.

Don’t worry about how different things may feel, about what other people might say, or about what might happen – the best thing you can do for yourself is to just show up!

That being said, here are 4 of our top tips that will help you get the most out of your upcoming training sessions & set you up for success in 2024:

1. Trust in all the work you put in in 2023.

If you were consistent with your fitness and nutrition routine for 300+ days out of the year, 7-14 days is not going to completely derail all the progress you made, nor will your body and mind forget everything you worked so hard to build.

2. Remember that the journey is not linear.

With all of the curveballs life throws at us, people’s health and fitness journey over the course of a year is rarely linear. We all experience periods where we are more consistent than others, less stressed, more motivated, etc. and others where we are not. All of these ups and downs are part of the journey, so it is important to enjoy every part of the journey, embrace the challenge and not get bogged down on the negative. The next “up” is coming your way!

3. Listen to your body & ease back into things.

Despite numbers 1 and 2 above, it is important to ease back into things in the gym to avoid injuries.  If your body feels a bit different moving weights, working on the machine, don’t fight against it too much. You are probably coming off a period of not fueling yourself properly, so your body is not in an optimal output nor recovery mode, so pushing too hard too fast can lead to injury. Similarly, focus on prioritizing recovery – stretching, sleeping, drinking water, proper nutrition, etc. – your body is likely a bit more vulnerable right now, so it needs some extra TLC. Give yourself a few weeks or so until you finally feel more like your pre-holidays self. And if you don’t, reach out to us and let’s chat!

4. Pull the bandaid right off and jump back on the gain train.

Don’t wait until you feel “back in shape”, get right back into meal prepping, drinking enough water, going to the gym, sleeping enough etc. Aim for a few weeks of generally consistent patterns, and then continue with that trend! Everyday does not need to be perfect, but it should be trending in the right direction! Use all those sweets, drinks and lazy days motivate you, not discourage you!  

And if you are still feeling a bit down on yourself for letting yourself go over the holidays, write down some things you would do differently next year to make the transition a bit easier – for example, more outdoor walks, at home workouts, more cooking, drinking mocktails etc.

Remember, you need to enjoy what you are doing otherwise you won’t stick to it! But, moderation is key!

That’s why we prioritize a holistic approach to health and fitness that is meant to fit within your lifestyle and empower you to make smart decisions that allow you to achieve your goals without sacrificing the things you like. 

Feeling anxious getting back into it? Or, not sure where or how to start?

Book a 15 minute chat with one of our Coaches here and see how we can support you.