We all have to take breaks. Even athletes aren’t athletes the whole year round. Quality periodical respite is beneficial to the mind and body. It’s an opportunity to regroup, rethink and gather, or perhaps pick ourselves up after serving arduous time training or competing.
Breaks can sometimes be long and one downside to having one is losing momentum. Somewhere you have to find the balance so that when you do get back to regular programming, you aren’t in too deep, too lazy or too fat.
So, what happens if you suddenly realise you’ll have to claw your way back? Where do you even start after halting progress? Here are tips you can apply to help you regain and rebuild.
Accept that… the holiday. Is. Over.
You have to get your mind back in the game quickly. You can do this by dropping all residues from your break. Yeah, the food was terrific, the hotel room was awesome, now forget about them. Stop daydreaming about how nice the sandy beach was, and think that your feet are already on the pavement ready to run. It’s a rude awakening, but the sooner you let this sink in, the sooner you’ll be on your way.
Make a conscious effort to be mentally strong
When deep in training, this comes naturally. It’s a different case when starting over again. Physically, you’re nowhere near performance level. This is where you need your mind to overcome your body. Every morning when you awaken you have to decide to get up and train. The first week is crucial because you’re sluggish. You will have to force yourself until training slowly transitions back into a routine.
Ease into your training
It’s a common tendency to overcompensate for something. So, don’t make the mistake of pushing too hard, too soon to make up for weeks of inactivity. It will blow up in your face if you get injured. You simply cannot afford any type of setback at this time. Take it slow the first few days, let your body experience the sensations of training again. Hit it hard only when you’re back in the groove.
Stay the course
Consistency is key, so train often and keep a pace. It’s so tempting to rest on your laurels especially if you’re seeing a bit of progress. You’ve already had plenty of time to relax. Maintain laser-vision focus during this period at least until you’ve reached familiar physical capabilities.
No cheat meals just yet
Don’t be fooled, the hole in that doughnut does not equal to it having fewer calories. It takes about 200 burpees to burn off one sweet piece. What an unfair world we live in. You’re aiming to get back to optimal performance as soon as possible so guilty pleasures are off the menu, for now. Instead, treat a cheat meal as a sort of reward only when you’ve already put in enough work.
It’s a mental game from start to finish. Your body is just going along for the ride. If you will it, it will.
