Five Tips for Getting Back on Track . . . After Slacking Off

Sorry about my little hiatus! Life just gets in the way sometimes, and I end up neglecting the blog. I’ve actually been out of town/sick/too busy with work these past couple weeks, but I’m back for now!

To mirror how neglectful I’ve been with the blog lately, I’ve also been a slacker with exercise. Gasp. I know. I’ve only averaged about three workouts a week for the past few weeks–when I have been doing six per week since December. I admit I feel guilty and sluggish and unmotivated, but you know what? I’m acknowledging it and moving on. (Disclaimer: This is what I call slacking off for me. Remember, we are all different.) Sometimes it’s okay to slack off. Yes, it is. In the past, I would let this go on for months (which is not okay), but I’m past that part of my life, and it’s easier to get back on the right track.

5 Tips for Getting Back on Track | FrenchFryRunner.com

So, in celebration of taking breaks, I’m sharing five tips for getting back on track that definitely help me:

  1. Start small. You will not be able to run as fast or lift as much as you were before your break. This is okay. Acknowledge it and honor your time off. You can backtrack a couple weeks on your running training plan or lift a little lighter to ease back into your fitness routine. Maybe you add another day of exercise in during the week. Maybe you eat a few less calories. If you took longer than a couple weeks off, you might feel like you’ve never worked out before. This is also okay. Take it slow. Work from where you are.
  2. Set a goal. Sign up for a race or book a fitness class. Money spent might be enough of a motivation to get back into your routine. I know this works for me most of the time. Sometimes just setting a goal of being able to run 30 minutes straight or doing the whole leg track in BodyPump is enough. Set a goal you know you can accomplish, then set smaller goals along the way.
  3. Document your progress. Blog about it. Write it down in your journal. Whatever. Make sure you document your progress. It’s always fun to go back and see how far you’ve come instead of how far you have to go.
  4. Get a buddy. If possible, work out with a friend and set a similar goal. Commiserate together. Have fun. Stay motivated. It’s a lot easier to make it to a 6:00 a.m. workout when someone’s waiting on you.
  5. Try something new. Maybe running isn’t your jive anymore. Maybe you hate cycling. Try something new and give it a chance. You might find something you love. Just keep moving!
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For me, I’m redoing a couple weeks on my half marathon plan and trying to make it to my pump and yoga classes. I’ve been running less, and I’m not okay with that . . . We all struggle, and sometimes it’s hard to realize that when all you read about it how awesome and fit everyone is. 🙂 Remember, we don’t always get the full story. We’re all just normal people trying to do extraordinary things. And we can do them as long as we work for it–and be okay with taking breaks sometimes.

What do you do to get back on track?

Any fun weekend plans?

Any Third Rock from the Sun fans? I’ve been watching it on Netflix and love it. I watched it when I was a kid, but it’s a whole lot funnier now. Imagine that.

 

 

Week in Review: January 26-February 1

Another week has gone by, and I had some pretty solid workouts. I’m seeing some serious progress, and there’s no stopping me! 🙂WIR: 1/26-2/1

Workouts in Review

Here’s the rundown for the week:

Monday: 38 minutes on the StairMaster. Good times.

Tuesday: 1-hour pump class

Wednesday: Run 2.6 miles

Thursday: 1-hour pump class (which included 100 lunges… yikes)

Friday: 15 minutes of yoga/stretching

Saturday: Run 4 miles  (week two of Jeff Galloway’s half marathon training plan)

Sunday: Rest

What I’m Most Proud Of

I added in yoga like I said I would last week. I need to add more, but I’m okay with the effort last week. I’m also stoked I hit two days of pump. I’m addicted. 🙂

Where I Fell Short

I’m not logging everything I ate on here, but I definitely fell short on my eating. I’m working on less sugar and more vegetables this week.

Training

I’m training for a half marathon in May and have started my training plan. I’m following Jeff Galloway’s half plan, which I’m using so I won’t get injured. I’ve run intervals before, but I always did something like run 9 minutes and walk 1 minute. This time, I’m mixing it up, so this weekend for my 4-miler on Saturday, I ran 2:30 and walked 1:30. I don’t think the interval was quite right–I felt my walk interval was too long–so I think for my 5-miler this weekend, I’ll run 2:30 or 3:00 and walk 1:00.

 Thought for the Week Ahead

It’s not about perfect. It’s about effort. And when you bring that effort every single day, that’s where transformation happens. That’s how change occurs.” –Jillian Michaels

Let’s work hard this week! Don’t forget to visit Jesica’s blog and check out her weekly update post and other linked-up posts. I’m also linking up with Tara from Running ‘n’ Reading for her Weekend Update link-up.

 

How was your week/weekend? 

Did your team win?

Weekend-Edition

Thoughtful Thursday: Tenacity

Thoughtful Thursday: Tenacity | FrenchFryRunner.com

 

That first step is always the hardest, isn’t it? Here’s what we need to do: set a goal, make a plan, and then just go for it and keep at it. No one is stopping us but us, right? Be tenacious, m’dears!

. . . The rest is merely tenacity. It's time for Thoughtful Thursday with @FrenchFryRunner Click To Tweet

How are your 2015 goals going?

What’s your favorite candy? (Just curious. Mine’s dark chocolate peanut M&M’s.)

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