When Life Happens... 2 Ways to Get Back into Exercise
To start off, if you stopped exercising because of an injury, these two tips might not be suitable for you. I'd suggest consulting your physician before getting back into exercise.
It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that our favorite fitness instructors and YouTube influencers live in the gym 24/7, especially when we see their perfectly crafted reels showcasing their fitness journeys.
But let's be real, those highlight reels only show a fraction of the picture. They're just moments in time, and the reality is that being human means we're capable of experiencing a whole range of emotions and challenges within a single day.
It's normal to go through ups and downs in life. There are times when unexpected events throw a wrench in our routines, disrupting the carefully constructed lives we've built for ourselves.
But when you feel ready to bounce back, the question arises: how exactly do you get back into the groove?
What I Learned from Being a Health Coach of a Weight Loss Tech Company
Like I mentioned, getting caught up in those highlight reels of our favorite influencers is a common pitfall. I fell into that trap myself when I was just starting my career as a dietitian. At the time, I naively believed that managing weight loss was as simple as...
- Calculate calories, then trim 500 off, then make adjustments.
- Provide meal plans.
- Keep tabs.
- Rinse and repeat.
I saw my patients as more like customers—it felt transactional. "You need help, I've got the knowledge, here it is." Then, they'd either come back after two weeks, or not.
But everything shifted when I joined this company. Suddenly, I was surrounded by amazing dietitians from all over the globe, each with their own take on managing body weight.
It surprised me: it's not just about the numbers.
First, it starts with understanding the psychology behind weight loss. What's driving someone to shed those pounds? How can we make it stick? What's their real motivation?
Because let's face it, as humans, we're not always driven by logic. Emotions play a huge role. If we feel like doing something, chances are, we'll do it. But relying solely on feelings doesn't always cut it.
That's where a deeper motivation comes in—a motivation that blends both rational thought and emotions. That's the magic formula for sparking action and getting results, no matter what life throws our way.
Why do you Need a Why?
For some, it might sound cheesy or overly dramatic, but in life, understanding why you pursue something is important for its longevity. The deeper the reason, the better.
Take marriage, for example. According to divorce lawyer James Sexton, in the U.S. alone, 56% of marriages end in divorce. In his interview with Soft White Underbelly, when asked what makes a relationship last, he emphasized the importance of knowing why you want to get married in the first place.
Because when things get tough and the honeymoon phase fades away (excluding situations of abuse, of course), all you're left with is the reason why you said "Yes" to this person and "No" to countless others.
The same principle applies to exercise. It's not just about finding that motivation to start but also about sustaining it—the determination to keep going, no matter what.
I remember during my time at that company, our lead coach introduced a questionnaire to our patients so we can better understand their journey. One of the questions asked about their primary motivation. One patient mentioned her daughter—wanting to live longer to be with her more.
That's when I realized the power of knowing your "whys." It lays a solid foundation for your goals and serves as a reminder when things get tough. For that lady, as long as she sees her daughter, she's reminded of her weight loss goals.
Step 1: Know Your Why
If this is new to you, and you're in the midst of your routine or just starting out again, don't worry—it's never too late to discover your "whys."
There are two common areas where patients in that weight loss program usually find their "whys":
- Long-term health goals: managing long term health concerns like diabetes, hypertension, or family history. Wanting to live longer.
- Something powerful beyond themselves, like the example of the mother wanting to be there for her daughter.
Whys that work in the Long-Term
You know the saying, "not everything is created equal"? Well, that applies to choosing your motivation too. From what I've seen, patients who put all their chips on short-term, structured motivation often end up hitting a wall when things don't go as planned.
Here's the deal: when folks treat their fitness goals like a checkbox to tick off, rather than embracing them as a lifelong commitment to their health and vitality, it's easy to lose steam when life throws a curveball.
That's why I'm a big believer in playing the long game. A why centered around overall health and well-being? Those are the ones that can weather any storm life throws your way.
Going back to my story, another interesting thing I discovered during my time at that company was this: there's a high emphasis on patient-based decision-making when it comes to what will work best for the patient.
It doesn't mean letting them be led astray. As health coaches, we guide them toward the right path without being pushy about what the next step should be.
So how does patient-centered approach work?
Step 2: Assess Your Process
For a patient-centered approach, we go now to step two.
I'd like to start this with one of the quotes that really stuck with me when I was scrolling my email one morning. It goes like this:
"You don't fail because of your goals' scale, but because of your system's approach."
Applying this to getting back into exercising, it might be helpful to take a look at the process.
This leads us to two questions: 1. What's one manageable step that can nudge you in the direction you want to go? And be honest with yourself, does it feel achievable?
When we get back into the groove of exercising after a break, our bodies need time to readjust. It's like our energy and strength have to refuel before we can tackle those heavy dumbbells again.
So, sometimes it's about taking a step back and tackling things one at a time. Sure, it might bruise the ol' ego, but isn't lifting a lighter weight now to work up to the heavier one better than not lifting at all?
Is running 5 mins for now to run 5 km in a month better than not running at all?
When you're getting back into it, don't be too hard on yourself by overcomplicating things. We often pressure ourselves by cramming this and that into the box, only to find ourselves not starting anyway. Then we're stuck again.
Again, it's all about taking it one step at a time...
And you know what? When building your comeback plan, getting some support along the way can make a big difference...
Introducing Flex AI - Best Free Workout App
Flex AI, the exercise app that's all about making workouts enjoyable and hassle-free. Plus, it won't cost you a dime!
Here's what Flex AI brings to the table:
Smart Custom-Made Workouts: With Flex AI, your workouts are tailor-made just for you. That means you can tackle them with confidence, knowing they're designed to suit your abilities and goals.
Accountability Buddy: This nifty feature keeps you on track with your personal records, lets you challenge your friends, and share your progress along the way!
Be a trendsetter to your friends: with Flex AI, you can even plan your exercise and share it with your friends.
Getting back to exercising does not have to be that hard, right? If you're interested, you can check out their website by clicking here.
And hey, if this app isn't quite your style, no worries. I'll be diving deeper into fitness and diet apps in my next blog post. But if you're looking for another approach, why not give classic goal setting a shot with SMART goals? It's a great way to break down your goals into manageable baby steps!
Conclusion
Just remember to keep it simple: reminding yourself of why you started in the first place, and making your journey easier and more achievable can make all the difference.
Starting over isn't easy. But guess what? That's what makes you incredible. Someday, you'll look back and share your fitness journey, and even if it involved some bumps in the road, the fact that you got back up and kept going is what truly counts.
Reference:
A Divorce Attorney's Thoughts on Love and Marriage - James Sexton
Soft White Underbelly
The Ultimate Guide to S.M.A.R.T. Goals
Forbes Business Magazine
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