If I were to guess about half the people reading this are feeling off routine, myself included.
Our workouts are spotty at best, or nonexistent, and we often are finding other things to do instead of working out.
Whether you're trying to get back into a routine after 3 months or 3 years, here's how to get back into a routine...
Start Small.
The biggest mistake I see people make is they go from 0 to 60 with no ramp up.
They go from minimal to no workouts all summer and think that going 4-5 days per week is best.
Although that sounds good on paper, it usually ends up as a disaster on the other end.
Start small.
Small changes = Big wins.
If you're looking to get back into exercise, start with just 1-2 thirty minute workouts per week.
As you build confidence and routine, you can ramp up from there.
If you're trying to get your nutrition back on track after a summer of too many burgers and beers, start small.
Maybe it's trying to get a bit more water or add more protein to your day.
Pick one thing, focus on that, build it as a habit, and then move onto the next one.
Don't try to overhaul your diet and turn it into perfection on day one, we all know how that turns out.
Stack the small wins.
Getting back into any routine, fitness or not, can be overwhelming.
Start small and stack the wins.
Stacking small wins is the best habit/behavior change approach.
Stacking wins is the brick analogy.
The biggest wall in the world was built one brick at a time.
The best retirement plan is to start small, put away a little each month, and leverage compound interest.
You go from doing nothing to going for a walk.
Going for a walk gives you the motivation to join a gym.
Joining a gym gives you the motivation to make some improvements in your nutrition.
Improving your nutrition leads to multiple workouts a week, and a new found a sense of confidence and energy.
Try to go from nothing to multiple workouts a week and improved nutrition.
It probably won't last.
However, the slow stacking of each "win" is what leads the behavior change to be successful.
It's building a strong foundation to support long lasting change.
1% Better.
Dedicated to Your Success,
Doug Spurling