Fall off the wagon

Alinekayy
Alinekayy Posts: 3 Member
edited November 21 in Fitness and Exercise
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!

Replies

  • Cherimoose
    Cherimoose Posts: 5,208 Member
    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
    DoogCampbell Posts: 53 Member
    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
    Alinekayy Posts: 3 Member
    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
    ElleBelleLiptak Posts: 21 Member
    Well set a few goals, don't worry, you have friends who will throw you in the wagon and push you ;)
  • Alinekayy
    Alinekayy Posts: 3 Member
    Haha thank you ellebelle I means a lot I appreciate it!
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