The Pendulum of Fitness, Getting Back on the Wagon
Posted by LD on July 26, 2010 under Motivation | 
6 Comments to Read
It happens to everyone. You are flying along on your diet, workout routine or both and all of a sudden life becomes too busy or stressful and something has give. For many the first thing on their list is being healthy. It is unfortunate but as I said it happens to everyone from time to time.
It is never a liner path from point A to B. It is more of a pendulum. You swing towards your goal but then you swing back away from it. The best you can hope for is that your forward swings have more momentum than your backward ones, and over the long run you continue to make progress.
Personally I have been on a gradual back swing for a few months now. I let my gym membership expire in May. I continued to work out at home through a large portion of June but with no A/C the heat eventually got to me and I did less and less. In addition June and July are big cookout months and I have spent many days and nights eating too much delicious food, and drink. So here I am, 8lbs heavier than I was in May. Today seems like as good a day as any to get back on the wagon and push for some forward momentum.
Go Big or Go Home
I like to go big right off the bat. I know most people will tell you that you should ease into anything because you are more likely to quit if it gets too hard to early. I find the opposite to be true. The thing that causes me to lose motivation and quit is not seeing results. For that reason I dive in full force for the first few weeks so I can see results as soon as possible. Once the results start showing then I am driven to keep going and improve.
My plan for the next 2 weeks.
I plan to fast 3 days a week for the next 2 weeks starting today. On my non fasting week days I plan to eat only fruit until dinner. On Saturday and Sunday I will relax my diet somewhat but still watch my quantity.
I pulled the old bowflex out of the attic where it has lived for 6 years. Between the bowflex and some bodyweight exercises I should be able to hit all muscle groups. In addition the it has a rower on it, so I plan to hit that for a half hour per day for some cardio.
As I said a few posts ago I love swimming and I have been doing a fair amount this summer, but as I don’t have regular access to a pool, I am going to consider swimming as bonus workouts.
Raymond-ZenMyFitness said,
We all fall off the wagon sometimes and actually I think for those who eat and exercise well over a long period its probably needed, like good holiday as long as it doesn’t get out of hand and too fat off.
Its great to acknowledge as humans we get side tracked it happens but the best of all how we plan make it back and the way we execute it …sort of like Rocky 7…haha
Raymond
FitXcel said,
I’ll echo what Raymond said. Oftentimes, an extended break can be just what you need to get back and hit it hard.
-Drew
Josh said,
I’ve only fallen off the wagon once, when I tore my hamstring. But the break extended past just the rehab time. Staying inactive, just makes it easier to remain that way. Energy breeds energy.
Reading blogs like this, and being a part of great forums where you can get encouragement can help stay motivated.
Even better than that is having great training partners who keep you going. If I slack, my training partners are going to let me hear it.
But as you said, a break is important, and you should build one into your periodization.
Darren@moreprimetime.com said,
A great way for you to get back on the wagon is to get back to your swimming post and use some of those great strokes you outlined. A few hours in the pool and you’ll be back!
Darren
Alejandro "The Fittest Vegan" said,
I actually just went through a little falling out myself, but I’m back on the wagon and excited. I’m with you about going strong off the bat, go big or go home!
Srdjan P - Bloom to Fit said,
Like Josh, only injuries have caused me to fall off the wagon. Even then, I try to do whatever I can.
It’s ok to take breaks every now and then. Some of my breaks have been exactly what my body needed at the time and when I got back into things I was that much better. You need to know how to listen to your body.
Keep up with the swimming. There is no better form of exercise.
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