Don’t rush your progress

Our bodies need conditioning into habits before it becomes the norm. When it comes to getting back into your fitness routine, it helps to pace yourself. Set a goal and gradually work towards it, but never rush the process. This can increase your chances of sustaining an injury or quitting altogether. The general rule of thumb is to get at least 30 minutes of exercise daily.

However, for people who are faced with time constraints, it is better to break up the 30 minutes throughout the day or split it into 3 days a week. Once you get the hang of things, you can increase the number of days and the time spent working on your goals.

Seasonal nutrition

The same goes for your diet; doing an overnight haul of how you eat can be a shock to your system and can also cause you to quit your diet.

The aim should never be to starve your way to a healthier body as this is unsustainable, but it is crucial to balance your diet to what is seasonally available.

80% of reaching your health and body goals rely on what you put in your body. Therefore, gradually cut back on things that are unhealthy such as transfats which are found in fried foods and takeaways, artificial sugars, and refined carbohydrates. Instead, opt to include more:

Unrefined carbohydrates

White meats instead of red

Green vegetables that have not been canned or bagged

Try eating out of smaller plates and drink the required 2 litres of water to help balance your meals. A great way to check if you have a balanced meal on your plate is to make sure that 30% of your plate is vegetables, 20% is fruit and the rest is broken up into wholewheat grains and protein.

Rest, rest, rest

A common mistake most people make when attempting to get back into their workout routine is taking on too much in a short space of time. Exercising daily for extended periods without giving your body time to recover is dangerous and can increase your chance of quitting altogether. It's crucial to get adequate sleep and take full advantage of your rest days by stretching your muscles to give your body time to recover. It will help you get the most out of your workouts in the long run and help you maintain your form, which will make you see better results.

Comparison is the enemy of progress

Your body is different from the next person. What might work for one person may not necessarily give you the results that you want. It is crucial to balance out your workout with bodyweight workouts and cardio to get a well-rounded result. Focusing on your own goals instead of comparing your progress with someone else's increases your chances of sticking to your routine long-term.