2015 was a much bigger year than I had ever anticipated, I met a boy, fell in love and moved to a whole other part of the country. I won't get into my personal life on here but me & he met at university, so lived 130miles apart.. so juggling a long distance relationship with a full time job meant both my training and fitness career hit the back burner.
(excuse the ugly concentration face here!)
2016 is a fresh New Year, I've had a good 5months to settle into my new home and now I'm ready to pick up with my blog and the fitness world!
Having had time away from a structured fitness routine, it can be difficult to get yourself back into the swing of things. Among a number of issues you may feel your body confidence is low, self esteem certainly isn't what it was and suddenly the gym environment can feel intimidating again... as though you're a total newbie.
Having had 5months out of a proper routine I had to find a way to combat those first-session-back nerves, and here's just a few ways I did this that may help you!
1. Instagram Idols
I have several instagram idols, a quick flick through their pages and I instantly feel motivated and inspired! It gets your thirst for fitness going again, you feel excited to try new things and reach new goals. A few of mine are: Zanna van Dijk, Carly Rowena and Tammy Hebrow (if you can afford to I'd recommend signing up to her fitness page too!).
2. Plan
Plan a workout before you go back to the gym, now by this I don't mean some super intense programme, but just a simple 30-45min workout with exercises you feel confident doing- this way you'll have a focus and you won't feel like you're stood around wondering what to do next. For me my comfort zone is leg training- leg press, squats, lunges.. I'm in my comfort zone there!
3. Observe
Sometimes it helps to sit back and observe the gym -perhaps a 5-10min inclined warm up walk on the treadmill- watch others and realise that your not the only one with anxieties in the gym environment! Use it as a chance to suss out your route around the gym and what you're going to do next!
4. Fit Fashion
Gear yourself up for going back by treating yourself to some new gym kit! I don't know about you but whenever I buy something new I want to wear it right away! It will massively boost your confidence and give you a reason to get back in the gym!
5. Timing
Try and make your first trip back on a day and time when you know the gym will be quiet. This will hopefully prevent you feeling overwhelmed and will allow you to get your bearings.
6. Patience
If you've had quite a bit of time off you may find your technique isn't what it was or that you can't lift as much as you used to. Avoid treating this as a negative and instead use it as motivation to get back to where you were, admire the strength and skill you once had, be patient and you'll be back to your old self in no time!
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These are just a few things that helped me get back into it, the gym can be an overwhelming and intimidating place if your out of sync with your routine or if your new to it, but taking your time, preparing and getting yourself motivated is a good place to start!
Just one month back in and I have my confidence back and can already start to see positive changes in my mental well being and in my physical appearance. I'm also back on my fitness courses and ready to get back into my blog :-)
Let me know if any of these tips have helped you and what you want to see on here!
Kirsty xx
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