So you went away, saw a new part of the world, and now you’re back. You took a break from your fitness routine this summer. You ate, you drank, you relaxed, and then you ate some more.
And now it’s time to face the music.
As you look in the mirror after a summer of less-than-healthy eating… Your body is puffy and bloated. Your joints are achy. Your clothes feel tight.
Maybe you are feeling that way right now. For some, it can lead to feelings of guilt, shame and even depression.
Here are 5 steps to get you back on the fitness fast track after your trip.
Step One: Focus
Your summer happened. You ate things from the “never eat these” list, you drank more that you should have…but now it’s over.
Draw a line in the sand. You’re back home so the bad eating stops now.
If you’re serious about your fitness goals, then your summer vacation was the exception, and not the rule. Don’t beat yourself up for letting loose. Simply get back up, dust yourself off and get focused.
Step Two: Hydrate
While summer days can take on many forms, the end result is most often dehydration and water retention. The only way to restore your balance is to get hydrated.
Your first priority for getting back on track is to drink plenty of water throughout the day. Start with a tall glass of water in the morning, and carry a water bottle with you to sip throughout the day.
Don’t add any artificial sweeteners or stimulants to your water – these can sabotage your hydration efforts. For flavor, add sliced fresh fruit, herbs or vegetables to your water, just like at the spa.
Step Three: Cleanse
For your first few days home I need you to be extra picky about what you eat. Stick with only whole, real foods like fruits, vegetables and lean meats. Whole, real foods will help to restore balance and block out cravings.
Don’t eat any packaged foods for the next few days. This means no snack foods, processed meat slices, dairy, baked goods or alcohol.
Try the recipe for Quick Chicken Stir Fry below – this is a wonderful, whole food dish.
Step Four: Rest
As relaxing as summer days are, most end with the feeling of exhaustion. Make catching up on sleep a priority over the next few days.
When your body is low on sleep, it becomes easier to make poor eating choices. You’re also less likely to get back into your workouts if you don’t give your body a chance to rest.
Aim for getting a full 8 hours of sleep each night.
Step Five: Exercise
It’s time to sweat out all those summer indulgences. So lace up your athletic shoes and put on your favorite gym clothes. When you start your first workout, ease in slowly. Take the time to warm up and stretch your muscles before powering up to a solid 30-minute routine.
I have just the exercise plan for you – one that will not only help you recover from your summer, but will help keep you motivated and going strong in the future.
If you haven’t joined yet, now is the perfect time for you to start. Together we will get you to your goals with my results-driven method.
Simply call or email me today to set up your first workout.
