We’ve been down this road before, but we know this latest lockdown hit most of us the hardest.
Thankfully, it was only 4 weeks, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t feeling its effects.
Kudos to those of you who kept up with a regular nutrition and exercise routine. If you were not able to, we’re here for you.
It’s time to TAKE BACK CONTROL!
As you head into our post-lockdown world, we wanted to leave you with 5 tips to help manage expectations and to set you up for short-term and long-term SUCCESS.
- Get back into a routine…with an open mind.
Whether you plan to keep the same routine or set a new routine, pick what is realistic for you and stick to it. Were you meal prepping before the lockdown, but stopped? Were you working out consistently, but stopped? It’s time to jump back on the wagon! Let Jan 31st be the date you get back into a routine that works best for you.
Just remember that we are all returning with different experiences and a different baseline, so take things slow and listen to your body. Fight the urge to compare yourself to you 4+ weeks ago. You are you now. Focus on the present and where we can go from here!
- Set boundaries & stick to them.
While most of us still work from home (and may for the foreseeable future), it is important to set boundaries for yourself so that you don’t let your work life bleed too much into your personal life. While we can appreciate this is not always feasible, try your best to shut your computer down at a certain time, put your phone away, and enjoy your workout/company with loved ones/down time etc.
If you’re joining us back in the gym, schedule your workouts and try your best to make these non-negotiable parts of your day. We’ve noticed that scheduling workouts in our calendar increases productivity throughout the day and decreases the chances you will miss a workout because something else got in the way.
- Take care of yourself.
The lockdowns in Ontario have been tough on us for different reasons. Take stock of how you’re feeling and what you’re doing to care for yourself and make changes if needed. Are you sleeping enough? Drinking enough water? Eating enough vegetables? Standing and taking breaks throughout the day? Prioritize your health and well-being. These are just some examples to get you thinking!
Pick 1 thing you’re going to change or focus on doing beginning Monday & see how it makes you feel! Write it down somewhere and tell someone you love so they can check-in with you and keep you accountable. You might be surprised to find out how much more energized you feel after a simple 10 minute break, extra glass of water in the morning, or 5 minutes of stretching.
- Be kind to yourself.
This tip goes hand-in-hand with the one above. In addition to taking care of your mental and physical health, it is important to practice kindness and gratitude. So, rather than the physical changes mentioned above, consider what you are telling yourself when you wake up, finish a workout, finish a tough work day etc. Are you proud of yourself for what you accomplished? Or frustrated that you didn’t perform how you wanted?
Take any negative energy and thoughts and try to turn them into positives. How can you use that to fuel your next day? To improve?
We are all going to be “re-starting” at different points on the 31st. Things may not feel the same. You may be frustrated because you are not “where you used to be”. And that’s OK. Recognize the difference, appreciate the hard times we have been through and remind yourself that showing up and doing your best is more than enough.
- Ask for help.
We all need each other. Whether you have someone in your home, at work, or at the gym that you trust, lean on them whenever you need an extra boost or accountability. If you’re not seeing the progress you expected, ask for help. If you’re not sure why you aren’t motivated, ask for help.
We are all here to support one another. We are here to support you. We are just an email or phone call away.
LET’S DO THIS, FAM.
