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After weeks and months of trying to take our fitness routine to the next level, we get into a rut. It might be because of tiredness, especially if we have been pushing ourselves too hard. Or it might be because we are bored with whatever activities we engaged in. Whatever the case, we can get stuck in the rut, and once we're in it, we can find it difficult to get out of again. So, what should you do if this happens to you? Here are some useful suggestions.
#1: Ease your way back inAfter taking a break, the last thing you want to do is anything too strenuous anyway, as you might do yourself more harm than good. Therefore, take part in those low-intensity activities that will cause you less strain and get you back into exercise. So, you might head to the leisure centre and take a swim. Or you could purchase some Pilates mats for your home, and practise these low-impact exercises in your living room. Or you could go for a gentle jog around your local park, working your way up until you can regain your usual speed and running distance again.
#2: Grab a workout buddyIf you are struggling to find the incentive to exercise on your own, grab (not literally) a friend who is (or was) keen to keep fit and do something together. So, you might go for a run or a bike ride, for example, or you might both sign up to local exercise or dance classes at your leisure centre. Consider engaging in a little friendly competition with each other too, as this will give you both the incentive to work harder. You might both purchase a Fitbit, for example, so you can see who has done the higher number of steps within a day. Or you might challenge each other at the gym by using one of the many exercise machines that are available to you.
#3: Hire a personal trainerTo give you some much-needed motivation (and probably some tough-love too), hire a professional to get you back into shape. They will encourage you to push yourself further, even when you can't be bothered to try, and they will also guide you on the best workout for you, so you might start to see more results during your keep-fit sessions. Be sure to pay for your training sessions in advance too, because as you will have paid somebody to coach you, you will be less likely to back out as you would only be wasting money if you did.
#4: Take the routine out of your exercise routineOnce your exercise routine becomes chore-like, you are more likely to give up and do something more enjoyable with your time instead, such as playing Candy Crush on your smartphone or watching your favourite box sets on Netflix. Therefore, do something to liven up your routine. You might want to mix up your regular workout, so you aren't always focussed on the one thing. You could work out to music to make whatever it is you are doing more enjoyable. Or you could ditch your usual workout and do something completely different, perhaps by taking part in a sport or hobby that will max up the fun factor alongside your fitness levels.
FinallySo, if you're currently stuck in a rut, probably with your TV remote in one hand and the television guide in another, think about what you could do to get out of it, perhaps by using the ideas we have suggested in this article. You will feel better about yourself if you do, and you will start to get back on track with your workouts. Let us know what you think, and if you have any further ideas for our readers, be sure to let us know.
