Working Out | What To Do When Life Takes Your Fitness Off Track
Have you ever been in a groove with your fitness and everything is coming together for you? You’re hitting the gym on a regular basis, you’re eating healthy foods to support your training and life, you’re getting plenty of sleep … (OK, as parents, that last part almost never happens, but you understand what I mean.)
Then it hits. Life. It gets in your way.
It happens to the best of us. Even elite athletes can have their training derailed by an illness, injury or family situation. Nothing like feeling like a criminal who is guilty of breaking Murphy’s Law over and over again!
What do you do when this happens?
Honestly, just do the best you can and don’t beat yourself up over it.
This has happened to me on more than one occasion. I had big plans for the summer. Lots of two-a-days, as I’m trying to juggle teaching a Body Combat class, training for a marathon, taking tae kwon do classes, and getting to the local CrossFit affiliate whenever possible.
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Then life got in the way. My work ramped up and my kids came first. Throw in a few major and minor bumps along the way, as well as early detection of two separate muscle strains, and there you have it. Sidelined. I still have to teach class and the marathon won’t change it’s date for me, so I have to deal with it and do the best I can with what I have.
Focus on Nutrition
When life gives you lemons, squeeze that lemon over a nice piece of baked fish. What I mean (despite delivering the message in a crazy way) is that in cases like this, if you can’t get to the gym or do the physical work you want to do, this is a great time to focus on what you may have a better shot at controlling: your nutrition.
Yes, it is difficult to pass up comfort foods when there’s a need for comfort. Remember, this is short-term comfort. Is this to say that the occasional pick-me-up from a handful of chocolate candies will kill you or derail your overall goals? No, not if there’s control and moderation. If it leads to a slippery slope of “anything goes,” well, that’s another situation altogether.
Do the best you can and be quick to forgive yourself, if necessary. Focus on what you can control rather than wallow in what you can’t control until you get back on track. Taking one step forward instead of two steps forward is still better than taking a step or two back.
Image: ManosPhoto
Category: Fitness/Exercise
About the Author (Author Profile)
Lori Rypka has been certified as a personal trainer through the American Council on Exercise since April 2010, and enjoys helping friends find their healthy selves. Follow Lori on her blog at Fumbled Into Fitness.Subscribe
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You know, I always find a lesson in your posts … and they don’t even have to relate to working out. Thank you for reminding me that if you fall off a little, it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Great piece.
/jackie