By Sandie Orlando
So how are those New Year’s resolutions feeling about now? If you’re wondering why you bother – you’re in good company. Good intentions are easily set aside as soon as the reality of managing everyday life gets real again. And that usually happens in the second week of January.
If you’re having trouble getting back to the training routine – or are trying to get into a new program that seemed like a good idea at the time but wonder how this is actually going to happen, here are a few tricks for getting through the rough parts and making it a real part of your life.
#1 –Have a plan. Even if it means simply showing up and making an effort – it gets the ball rolling. And with a plan – the decision is made. You simply have to take action. So you haven’t committed to a race yet? It doesn’t matter. You’ll have to train regardless, so set that aside for now.
#2 – Don’t think. Just do. When the alarm goes off, turn off the brain and engage the feet. Hit the floor and start the routine. Simply taking action has a way of over-riding the mental games that can derail your intentions.
#3 – Do the preparation before going to bed. If your clothes are out – gym bag packed, lunch bag in the fridge, and travel coffee mug prepared – you can maintain the momentum of executing against the plan and make it happen. No excuses.
#4 – Just do the plan – and no more. This is not the time to be competing with yourself or others. You are ramping up – and it’s okay to have shorter, easier workouts. Get acclimatized to being back in the routine, and appreciate the opportunity to establish a baseline. You know it only gets harder and heavier from here….but that isn’t what this is about.
#5 – If you slip – get over it, and get on with it. Done is better than perfect – so if you hit four out of five planned workouts this week – be proud of that, and keep going. Missing one, or two, or three in a row doesn’t spell disaster. It means you are working at establishing a new routine, and it takes a while to get the discipline engines firing on all four cylinders.
#6 – Connect with others and join in group workouts. Training solo will be part of the deal often enough, but right now, a group effort is motivational and inspirational. And you might learn something new that will be really useful later on.
#7 – Do a short cleanse. After the holidays, we can often feel bloated and heavy, which is discouraging for putting on lycra shorts and tank tops. There are myriad ways to do a quick cleanse without going overboard that can help you feel more energized and less pudgy. Choose one that feels workable, and pick a few days you can sacrifice your usual good nature and routine for. Keep it simple. Even if it’s an 8 hour effort, the break from your dietary vices will help you change gears on some bad habits and replace them with a few healthier options.
#8 – New gear is always a good way to boost your motivation. Nobody can leave a new running or cycling jersey hanging in the closet for that long before having to try it out.
#9 – Get Techy – New technology might be your thing – and it might be the thing that gets you started if you are motivated by metrics and training by the numbers. The only way to get it set up and learn how to use it….is to get it set up and use it.
#10 – If you are lucky enough to have a training buddy who is on the same trajectory as you – leverage that relationship. You can either inspire each other – or distract each other. Make it a point to choose inspiration and pull them along when you’re feeling it. Hopefully they will repay you with inspiration on that day when you aren’t feeling it.
For now – just turn off the brain, put yourself in gear….and just go.
