Fall off the wagon

Alinekayy

Hello my name is ali, I recently fall off the wagon and need to get back on. I use to be extremely athletic had a five min mile, max bench 165lbs. I'm missing my six pack any motivation or tips would be extremely appreciated!

Cherimoose

Decide what goals you want, commit yourself to reaching them, write down a plan to get there, and get to work.

*Throws Ali back on the wagon*

DoogCampbell

Hey Ali, I have been battling with this same problem the last year. In 2014 I worked hard into the summer getting myself into great shape using strength training, running and ashtanga yoga. I had a vacation booked in early September and I dieted hard to look great for that. It was VERY hard on me but at the same time I was overjoyed at my achievements. The holiday hit and I had a great time but on returning home I too fell completely off the wagon into a ditch and fell asleep.

In retrospect there was a ton of reasons why my motivation left me that range from work and family pressures to being out of routine to simply the comedown of having achieved a goal that I strived for so hard and not knowing how to pick myself up.

I sat idle for 8 months, getting heavier and weaker. I got sick more and couldn't motivate myself to get back into things. I know now that a lot of it had to do with psychological health as much as physical health.

The important bit I think was how I started to put it back together, in short I did three things:

- I took a long hard look at what was stopping me, I had to acknowledge the pressures I was under and try to find some spare energy to put back into my training
- I made a plan to get out and do something 2x a week (in my case get to the gym) - I went to a massive de-load knowing I had to get form and practice in again, I allowed myself to start slow
- I focused on the training and not the diet (one thing at a time)

I hated my first few sessions back, telling myself I should be better at these things or berating myself for my lost performance, but by consistently getting something done I slowly forgave myself and started to see improvements - that was the spark for me that really reignited my energy again - as I started to enjoy the improvements I started to enjoy the work.

I would suggest that you just get yourself doing something, forget where you were and concentrate on where you are and what you can do now. You loved it for a reason you have just forgotten what that feels like, I think you can recapture it but it will be hard to get yourself into that position again. Make it easy for yourself and start slow.

Best of luck.

Alinekayy

Thank you so much for your time and thoughts it means a lot! My story is quite similar to yours, fall off the wagon at the same time and about for the same duration. I'm getting back to it slowly but surely. I appreciate your advice about taking it one step at a time I think that's what may be wrong with my strategy because I started with a diet, and then started working out maybe I should try one at a time like you suggested. It's a great idea I didn't think of it that way I guess I'm so brainwashed into thinking that they go hand in hand. But I went for a 2 mile run and swimming today so I'm getting there it's just a struggle getting to the top again. But thanks again for all the advice and incouraging words! ❤️

ElleBelleLiptak

Well set a few goals, don't worry, you have friends who will throw you in the wagon and push you

Alinekayy

Haha thank you ellebelle I means a lot I appreciate it!