The struggle is real, but so is this advice.

*Edit: How f-ing appropriate that my blog post randomly disappeared just as I was ready to publish it? AHHH here's to starting over and hoping I can make it sound as good as the first one.

I've already addressed the fact that sometimes life makes a huge mess of things in ways we don't or can't plan for - shit happens.

So you took a break, whether for a planned vacation or some kind of unforeseen obstacle, and now it's time to get back to a workout routine, but man it seems daunting for one reason or another. How do you get back into the swing of things once life calms back down? (hint: it ain't pure motivation that will magically appear, so stop holding your breath for it)

Here are some things to think about that might help you overcome the hurdle that is starting-over:

1. Are you still paying for a service? Be it a gym membership or a personal training app, sometimes just knowing that you're already paying for the thing will help get your ass in gear to use the thing. That's totally fine motivation.

2. Find your nearest gym bro and ask for accountability. Tell them what time you will be at the gym and let them hold you to it. Give them permission to send you funny memes and call you out if you no-show.

3. Do you like to plan your week in advance and have everything super organized on your (digital/physical) calendar? Put. It. In. Writing. Schedule that time for yourself and make sure you have push notifications to remind you of your commitment.

   1. If you feel "too busy" to find the time, think of how you made it work before, where you can squeeze in even a little time for this form of self care.

4. Start small, lower the barrier for entry, adjust expectations. If you missed a few days, you probably won't have an issue jumping right back in where you left off. If it's been a little longer (or a lot, let's be real), then of course you wouldn't start where you were after months of training. Decrease the sets/reps, lower the weight, do only half the programmed workout - it's okay to do less in order to get back into the groove.

   1. I always tell my clients that any movement is better than none! Start with a 20 minute walk outside, get a 15 minute HIIT workout, do some exercises that you think are FUN. Get excited about it again!

Above all, have some sort of plan ahead of time. A program to follow will help lessen anxiety and the feeling of being overwhelmed. It will take the guesswork out of the process, and can help you be more consistent. Remind yourself of how wonderful you feel mentally and physically when you are consistent in your fitness, and use it as a way to celebrate making it through whatever crap life was throwing at you. You've got this!

<3 Your Friend, Katy