Getting Back after Time Away from the Gym

We've touched on much needed vacations and how to fit our routine into and around the rest of our lives. Having acknowledged the importance of organizing our priorities, listening to our inner-voice with a discerning ear, and not beating ourselves up for taking time away from exercise when we need to: it's time to put a plan in place for our return. 

Start with showing up. I struggle with the self-talk when it comes time to return from a break. "I can't lift the same", "I don't look the same", "I'm so out of shape compared to how I was before life got in the way". These all seem and feel like valid reasons to be less confident in our return, but they don't take into account that the same conditions were present when you first showed up to the gym last time. You've climbed that hill already. It won't be as difficult this time.

The positive momentum returns, often faster than we anticipate. Often times, a week or two in we find ourselves shocked at how quickly we re-adapt to getting back at it. Don't give your inner-critic a megaphone. You've already been through the process of establishing healthy and positive lifestyle changes, that framework still exists. It's already been built. You may have covered it up with some ugly walls (recent habits & changes), but those are much easier to replace than a foundation. 

Expecting to perform the same as we did when we were at our peak is a lie your inner-voice tells you to justify not taking action. Taking one step in the right direction makes it easier to take that second step, which is the definition of momentum. Building momentum is the part that seems difficult, but it kicks in quicker than you'd think. Acknowledge that some progress IS progress. You will have an impulse (urge) to go workout: that could be a walk, a bike ride, a trip to the gym to move. Follow it. Do just a little something, no matter how irrelevant it may seem. You are exposing your brain to an 'old you', a you you know you liked. Our brain's nature is to find the path of least resistance. Your brain's way of doing that is by telling you it's too hard to return, or there are too many obstacles in the way. Your inner-voice is lying to you. That first step will turn into a long walk, and all long walks start with a first step.

It becomes easier when we can rely on a System, rather than Discipline.