Now that the kids are back to school, parents are finding more personal time to focus on fitness and hobbies. Are you ready to get back to the gym and tone-up your physique before the end of the year? When you drop off the kids in the morning, it’s the perfect time to head to the gym!

Summer Fun Takes a Toll on Fitness

Even with the best intentions to maintain a fitness routine throughout the year, it’s common for the summer season to be a hard time to maintain your workout goals. The kids are home from school, which means families find it more challenging to maintain a routine.

Plus, your regular activities are different during summer break. Whether you are planning pool days at the local rec center or you are heading out of town for a week or two at a time, it’s common for exercise to fall lower on the list of priorities.

You’ve had your fun with the family throughout the summer, and now it’s time to buckle down so you can get back to work. When the kids go back to school, it’s the perfect reminder that you need to get back to the gym again.

Benefits of Getting Back to the Gym

Sometimes it can be hard to find the motivation to get back to your workout routine. Many people find it easier to stay on schedule when they are already in a routine. But breaking the habit throws off the schedule, which means that you need to be deliberate about re-creating your fitness routine again.

If you want to find more motivation to get back to the gym, then consider these important benefits of regular workouts:

• Burn Fat: Did the summer BBQs and ice cream parties take a toll on your physique? If you are carrying a few extra pounds of fat after the summer festivities, then it’s time to get back to work again. Regular exercise is effective for fat burning, especially when you pair it with a healthy diet.
• Improve Confidence: Weight gain often takes a toll on a person’s self-confidence. If you aren’t feeling good about your appearance right now, then remember that you can turn things around by getting back to the gym and starting into your fitness routine again.
• Clothing Fit: Changes in body composition definitely have an effect on the way your clothing fits. Instead of having “fat pants” and “skinny pants” that you wear depending on your current weight, use the tightness of your pants as a clue for when you need to get back to the gym. It feels good to tone the muscles and lose a little extra fat so your clothing fits like it should.
• Toning and Shaping: Muscle-building exercises, such as weight lifting and HIIT training, are excellent for creating the body shape that you desire. Find an image that inspires you, then choose how hard and often you train so that you can meet this goal.
• Energy and Vitality: Regular exercise is key to help you have plenty of energy to make it through the day. When you are exercising and including cardio in your routine, then you’ll find it easier to keep up with the kids and enjoy your favorite active hobbies.

If you are in need of a motivation boost, then remind yourself of the above benefits that you will enjoy with a consistent workout routine.

Expert Tips: How to Start Working Out Again

Do you need an extra boost to help you get back on track with your workout routine again? Here are a few strategies that can make it easier to go back to the gym:

1. Start Slowly: Set the expectations low in the beginning. If it’s a mental struggle to think about a few hours in the gym, then focus more on creating the routine. Remember that if you go too hard, too fast, then there is a higher risk of injury. So, start with lower-impact exercises and shorter fitness sessions. Then, increase your intensity and schedule over time.
2. Set Achievable Goals: Choose a few goals that you want to achieve and find someone to hold you accountable. The best types of goals prioritize the day-in-day-out habits instead of the end result. For example, instead of setting a goal to lose 20 pounds, decide that your goal is to have 3 weight-lifting sessions and 2 cardio sessions each week. When you follow these process goals, then your results goal will naturally align.
3. Find a Buddy: Having accountability is a great way to stay on track with your fitness goals. When you are heading back to the gym, find a friend who likes to use the same facilities. Meeting someone at the gym increases the likelihood that you will actually show up for your scheduled workout session. Or, if you don’t have someone nearby to work out with, then reach out to a friend or family member who might be willing to be your accountability buddy
4. Put it on the Calendar: Prioritizing your health means that you need to make sure you have time blocked off on the calendar to go to the gym. Figure out the time of day that works best for your fitness routine. Some parents prefer early mornings and spend time in the gym before the kids wake up for school. Other parents find it easier to drop the kids off to school, then head to the gym immediately. Decide on a time that is ideal for your unique schedule, and put it on the calendar so you don’t double-book that block of time.
5. Choose the Right Gym: The quality of your fitness center matters, because it impacts your overall experience. Make sure your gym membership is at a place that you love, with clean facilities and all the latest fitness equipment that you need.

When you are ready to head back to the gym, then our team is here to support your journey. We invite you to join Fitness Nation and tap into our tribe of friends who are passionate about health and fitness.