Transitioning to Normalcy

As life starts to slowly get back to normal it’s important for us to listen to our bodies as we transition back into the gym. For many of us, we’ve not been able to get our normal workouts in and a lot of us probably feel like we are back at square one. Do not get discouraged! This time was extremely important for our bodies because our bodies crave rest and recovery. While losing muscle or gaining a few fatty pounds might seem like a big deal, your body will surprise you during your comeback! You’ve lost the weight before so don’t worry, you can do it again! You just have to listen to your body during the process.

Listen to your Body

Picture this, it’s your first day back in the gym. You probably look like a kid in a candy store when you see all of the different machines and weights. Where will you go first? You need to remember that after a few months without heavy weights you probably cannot go back in and lift as heavy as you were before. Be cautious! Follow these tips to ease yourself back into your normal workout flow:
-Balance: Be sure to balance your fitness plan. Don’t go straight into lifting heavy 5 days a week again. If you’ve been doing mostly cardio and HIIT workouts, continue to do those a few times a week and add in those lifting days. You can slowly decrease those cardio sessions as you’d like but transition back into your normal routine. Your body likes a change in routine, so it’s good to keep a balance between lifting and cardio so that your body doesn’t know what to fully expect each day.
-Cool Down: Do this at the end of each workout, even if it’s just 5 minutes. Take that time after to let your heart rate come down and get your breathing back to normal. Maybe you walk on the treadmill for 5 minutes or maybe you sit and stretch a little (or both!)
-Consult with a trainer: If you’re nervous it’s a good idea to consult with a trainer or a coach first. Someone from our DC family would love to help ease you back into your workout routine!
-Take your time: Do not rush your workout! Rushing your workout not only decreases your performance but also increases your risk of injury. Focus on your breathing, your range of motion and keeping your balance for all workouts.
-Warm up and stretch: This is important always, but definitely give yourself that extra warm up and stretch time. It’s necessary to warm our muscles up before we start lifting and then continue to give them the proper attention after our workouts.

It’s time to get started! Now that you have a few tips to help transition your way back into the gym, you’re all set! If you do have questions or are looking for some guidance as you get back into the gym, reach out to us! We can help get you started with a customized workout plan! Happy lifting!

-The Disturbing Comfort Family