2020 has been somewhat of a write-off in many cases, but especially when it comes to sport and fitness.
All across the world, gyms and fitness classes have been canceled and closed down to prevent the spread of the virus, and pretty much every major sporting event or tournament has been called off or postponed.
With events such as this unfolding all around you, it can be incredibly difficult to maintain your mojo and fitness levels. On top of this, we may also have all sorts of other things going on in our lives – looking after the kids at home while their schools are closed, working from home, trying to get out to pick up essential supplies and looking after vulnerable family members and friends. It seems an awful lot easier to stay at home, in your pajamas, watching Netflix and binging on junk food.
However, fitness is something that we should all strive to keep on top of, no matter what else is going on. It is great for our physical health and can give our immune system a boost, but it is also incredibly good for our mental health, and at a time like this, that is important.
Here, we look at some of the things that you can do to grab back hold fo your mojo and keep your fitness going after the COVID-19 lockdown lifts.
Take it slow
No matter what your fitness levels were before, you need to take it slow when returning to exercise after a period away from it. You may be lucky enough that muscle memory takes over and that you get back to as you were pretty quickly. However, if not, do not push yourself too hard to begin with, as you can risk causing damage to your muscles and ligaments and set yourself back even further.
Have a goal to work towards
Making plans for a few weeks or months’ time, or even next year can be a great way to motivate you. Maybe you have always wanted to do a marathon – book your space now. Perhaps you have wanted to go on a mountain biking vacation – research it now. By putting plans into place, you will have something to focus on and work towards.
Mix up your regime
If you find that your old exercise regime does not work for you or get you excited anymore, it may be time to mix things up. You do not necessarily have to go to the gym to do this – swap the treadmill for a run through your local park or even on the beach, do a workout in the comfort of your home or if you are feeling a little flush, hire a personal trainer to put you through your paces.
Give your body the right things
You can’t get your body moving properly if you do not put the right fuel in, so think about what you are eating or drinking. If you have hit the beers or cocktails once too many times during your time at home, have a break from it. If you have ordered one too many pizzas, swap them out for some meals packed with proteins, whole grains, and plenty of fruit and vegetables. You might want to also consider giving yourself a bit of a headstart by adding some supplements to your diet. Check out the range at steelsupplements.com.
Make sure that you get enough sleep
You can’t exercise efficiently if your body is tired, so make sure that you are getting enough sleep. After a workout, one of two things may happen: you may have tired yourself out enough that you sleep well, or you are too pumped to sleep.
If the latter is the case, consider exercising earlier on in the daytimes so you have enough time to cool down and relax before bed. Avoid drinking caffeine after lunchtime and try not to use screens in the hour or two leading up to your bedtime. Many people find a warm, milky drink or bath can help them to relax as well.
Returning to your previous fitness levels after some time off is never going to be easy. Taking it slowly, to begin with, eating and drinking all of the right things, getting enough sleep, and setting new goals and targets are all big steps to help you get your mojo back and get you on the road to fitness once again.
