As kids head back to school, parents are finding more personal time to focus on fitness and hobbies. Are you ready to get back to the gym and tone your physique before the end of the year? Dropping the kids off in the morning is the perfect time to hit the gym!
Summer fun takes its toll on fitness
Even with the best intentions of maintaining a year-round fitness routine, it’s common for the summer season to be a difficult time to maintain your exercise goals. The kids are home from school, which means families are finding it harder to maintain a routine.
Moreover, your regular activities during the summer holidays are different. Whether you’re planning pool days at the local leisure center or heading out of town for a week or two, it’s normal for exercise to be lower on the priority list.
You’ve had fun with the family all summer, and now it’s time to put your shoulders to the wheel so you can get back to work. When the kids go back to school, this is the perfect reminder that you need to get back to the gym.
Benefits of going back to the gym
Sometimes it can be difficult to find the motivation to get back into your exercise routine. Many people find it easier to stay on schedule when they are already in a routine. But breaking the habit throws off the schedule, which means you need to be deliberate about recreating your fitness routine.
If you want to find more motivation to get back to the gym, consider these key benefits of regular workouts:
- Burn fat: Have the summer barbecues and ice cream parties taken their toll on your body? If you’re carrying a few extra pounds of fat after the summer festivities, it’s time to get back to work. Regular exercise is effective for fat burning, especially if you combine it with a healthy diet.
- Improve confidence: Weight gain often takes a toll on a person’s self-confidence. If you’re not feeling great about your appearance right now, remember that you can turn the tide by going back to the gym and starting your fitness routine again.
- Clothing fit: Changes in body composition certainly affect the fit of your clothing. Instead of wearing “fat pants” and “skinny pants” depending on your current weight, use the tightness of your pants as an indicator of when you should go back to the gym. It feels good to strengthen the muscles and lose some extra fat so that your clothes fit properly.
- Toning and shaping: Muscle-building exercises, such as weight lifting and HIIT training, are excellent for creating the desired body shape. Find an image that inspires you and then choose how hard and often you train so you can achieve this goal.
- Energy and vitality: Regular exercise is essential to ensure you have enough energy to get through the day. If you exercise and incorporate cardio into your routine, you’ll find it easier to keep up with the kids and enjoy your favorite active hobbies.
When you need a motivation boost, remind yourself of the above benefits you’ll enjoy with a consistent exercise routine.
Expert Tips: How to Get Back to Training
Need an extra boost to help you get back on track with your exercise routine? Here are a few strategies that can make it easier to get back to the gym:
- Start slowly: Set expectations low in the beginning. If it’s a mental struggle to think about spending a few hours at the gym, focus more on creating the routine. Remember that if you go too hard and too fast, there is a greater risk of injury. So start with lower impact exercises and shorter fitness sessions. Then increase your intensity and plan it over time.
- Set achievable goals: Choose a few goals you want to achieve and find someone who can hold you accountable. The best types of goals prioritize daily habits rather than the end result. For example, instead of setting a goal to lose 20 pounds, you might decide that your goal is to have three weight-lifting sessions and two cardio sessions each week. When you follow these process goals, your outcome goal will naturally align.
- Find a buddy: Having accountability is a great way to stay on track with your fitness goals. When you return to the gym, find a friend who enjoys using the same facilities. Meeting someone at the gym increases the chances that you will actually show up for your scheduled workout session. Or, if you don’t have someone nearby to train with, reach out to a friend or family member who might be willing to be your accountability buddy
- Put it on the calendar: Prioritizing your health means making sure you make time in the calendar to go to the gym. Determine what time of day best suits your fitness routine. Some parents prefer early mornings and spend time at the gym before the kids wake up for school. Other parents find it easier to take the kids to school and then go straight to the gym. Determine a time that is ideal for your unique schedule and put it on the calendar so you don’t double-book that time block.
- Choose the right gym: The quality of your fitness center is important because it affects your overall experience. Make sure your gym membership is in a place you love, with clean facilities and the latest fitness equipment you need.
When you’re ready to get back to the gym, our team is here to support you. We invite you to join Fitness Nation and tap into our tribe of friends who are passionate about health and fitness.