Revitalize Your Wellness Journey: 5 Easy Steps to Reclaim Your Health
It’s perfectly normal to fall off track throughout your health and wellness journey. We’ve all been there.
Life’s demands, unexpected setbacks, or simply losing motivation can sometimes lead us off course.
Fortunately, if you’re someone who is truly passionate about health and wellness, then getting back on track is entirely achievable with the right approach.
With that said, here are a few practical strategies and actionable steps to reignite your fitness and health journey and propel you toward your wellness goals.
Do a Check-in With Yourself
The first step in reigniting your fitness and health journey is to revisit your initial goals and quickly check in with yourself.
Reflect on why you started in the first place. Whether it was to improve your strength, increase energy levels, or achieve a specific aesthetic, remind yourself of the purpose behind your journey.
Sometimes, I simply like to utilize this time to reflect on my goals and even set new ones. This reflection will reignite your motivation and provide a clear direction moving forward.
Tip: Do a check-in with yourself and reflect on your fitness goals. Is it time to set up some new ones?
Start Small and Build Momentum
Depending on how you like to work, it might be better for you to slowly ease back into your health and wellness routine after a hiatus.
For me personally, I’m more of a dive-in head first — so after a vacation or a few days off from the gym, I’ll typically go in and do a hard workout to prove to myself that I still got it.
There is nothing wrong with that — to each their own. That doesn’t necessarily mean I’m using the same weights and reps as I would be had I remained on track, but I do love a challenge, so I make sure it’s difficult.
However, if you’re someone who does need to ease back into things slowly, then start with manageable workouts or dietary changes that align with your current fitness level.
Avoid pushing yourself too hard too soon, as this may lead to burnout, or it might even discourage you.
Take it day by day. The important thing is that you’re doing it.
Tip: Taking things slow and gradually increasing intensity and duration will help you regain strength and stamina over time. It’ll also help you build momentum, which, as a result, will keep you motivated.
Establish a Realistic Routine
Consistency is key in any fitness and health journey, so create a realistic routine that fits seamlessly into your daily life.
Try to consider factors like your work schedule, family commitments, and personal preferences.
If you’re someone who is incapable of waking up early because you’re not a morning person, then don’t tell yourself you’ll wake up earlier to go to the gym. You don’t have to. It’s okay not to be a morning person.
If you plan on hitting up the gym after work, then prep for that so you won’t have any excuses not to go. Bring a workout bag with clothing, shoes, and everything you need to get the job done.
I highly recommend a pre-workout drink to give you that boost of energy you need after a long day of work — and there are pre-workouts without caffeine, so you don’t have to worry about not being able to go to sleep.
Tip: Create a structured plan to make it easier to stick to your regimen and foster a sustainable lifestyle change.
Diversify Your Workouts
Injecting variety into your fitness routine can reinvigorate your motivation and prevent plateaus.
Incorporate a mixture of cardiovascular exercises and both endurance and strength training.
Not only does this approach keep things interesting, but it also targets different muscle groups for a well-rounded and effective fitness regimen.
If you’re a female, diversifying your workouts will benefit you even more so because your menstrual cycle involves various hormonal shifts that can impact energy levels, mood, and physical performance, so tailoring exercise routines to align with these hormonal fluctuations can optimize workouts and help you feel more in tune with your body.
Tip: Don’t make exercise a chore. You have plenty of those already. Keep fitness a fun aspect in your life. Do some strength training, some HIIT, go shoot some hoops, kick a soccer ball around, try yoga! Diversity is the key to keeping things interesting.
Prioritize Nutrient-Dense Foods
Nutrition plays a fundamental role in your overall health and fitness journey.
If your diet isn’t on point, your workouts won’t be on point.
I’m not saying you need to give up all the pleasures of life and eat chicken and broccoli for dinner every night, but you do need protein in order to maintain your muscles.
You do need healthy fats for both brain and hormonal health.
I have been passionate about health and wellness for the last five years now, and I’ve become incredibly in tune with my body throughout that time. I know that, for example, during my luteal phase, my body needs more food and more nutrients in order to be happy and healthy.
Figure out what your body needs in order to thrive. Stop restricting it, and stop over-feeding it, and most importantly, stop feeding it garbage.
Tip: Focus on consuming nutrient-dense foods that provide essential vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients. Incorporate plenty of fruits and veggies, proteins, and healthy fats into your diet. Hydration is equally important, so be sure to drink an adequate amount of water daily.
Conclusion
Reigniting your fitness and health journey is a powerful step towards a happier, healthier you.
To recap, if you’re trying to get back on track after falling off the bandwagon for a while, regardless of the reason behind it — you can get back on track seamlessly. Start with the following:
Check in with yourself. Realign yourself with your goals — or set new ones.
Ease yourself back into it if you have to — otherwise, bite the bullet and complete a challenging and effective workout. The most important thing is to build that momentum and create consistency.
Establish a realistic routine for yourself. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to work out every single day at the butt crack of dawn. Figure out what works for you and dedicate an hour or two per day towards your health, and stick to it. Don’t cheat yourself.
Diversify your training style. Have you ever tried hot yoga? Remember when you wanted to try pilates? Or boxing? The time to try new things is now.
Prioritize your nutrition. We’ve all heard the saying, “your body is a temple so treat it like one.” It’s 110% true. If you had a really nice luxury car, would you feed it with low-quality fuel? Probably not. You’d choose the highest-grade, top-tier fuel to ensure optimal performance and longevity. Your body is no different. It deserves the best fuel to function at its peak. So, prioritize whole, nutrient-dense foods that nourish and sustain you. Remember, you only get one body — treat it like the masterpiece it is.
Remember, consistency and patience are your allies on this journey.
Embrace the process, celebrate your achievements, and keep moving forward toward a stronger, healthier, and more vibrant you.
