If you follow an exercise program for long enough, this is going to happen to you: you’re going to dig yourself a sweaty ditch and get stuck in it. And you will hate it.
You’ll know you’re there because you’re going to dread your workouts — not just occasionally, but every day. You’ll get mad at your trainer or instructor for no reason. Your progress will come to a screeching halt.
You’re in an exercise rut, and you’ve got to get out. Here’s how.
Take a rest.
If you’ve established an exercise routine, you can afford to take a few days off; in fact, your body (and your mind) could probably use the time to recharge.
Try something new.
Anything: take a new class, hire a personal trainer, go to a dance studio, take a long hike. Anything to break the routine and get your body working in a new way.
Keep the variety.
You’ll go a long way in avoiding the ruts altogether if you don’t get yourself caught up in doing the same things day after day.
Reevaluate your goals.
Why are you exercising, anyway? Having a clear picture about why you’re there makes it much easier to keep after it, especially if your goals have something to do with having enough energy to keep up with your kids or being able to finish your first 10k. If you’ve already achieved what you originally set out to do at the gym, set a new goal.
The rut happens to all of us. I remember a clear August day where, after a half-hearted warm-up, I started a push-up and ended up on the floor for thirty minutes. That marked the beginning of a two-week break, at which point I resumed my workouts and felt better than ever.
Are you in a rut? It’s not permanent! What are you doing to step out?