Sticking to your workout routines and training for a long time can be tough, especially when you have other commitments such as family and work life. At some point, you may start to feel exhausted, constantly in a low mood or uninterested in going to the gym. Fitness burnout is real and many people will experience it at least once in their fitness journeys. If you have ever maintained your exercise and fitness routine, you will know how difficult it can be to regain your rhythm once you have lost it.
Although fitness burnout may seem inevitable, here are five tips to help you fight fitness burnout so that you can reach your fitness goals.
Go easy on yourself
One of the crucial aspects of preventing fitness burnout is how you deal with yourself in the face of challenges. If you think of yourself as your worst critic, your first instinct may be to think of yourself as lazy on days when you cant perform at your best in the gym. If you are serious about preventing fitness burnout, then it's time to discard those negative thoughts.
Since you will not always be at 100 percent, you are better off being a little bit kinder to yourself on your off days. You can also try to push through those off days or be honest about how you feel and take a day off if you must. Never feel unworthy of continuing to try to be at your best.
Set realist goals
Another reason you may be prone to burnout is setting unattainable goals. It is okay to dream big and be ambitious, but you also need to be realistic about your fitness goals. First, you need to know your abilities and how far you can stretch them. And secondly, set goals that are specific, relevant, and time-bound.
For instance, don't run 10 km if your current ability is 5 km. There are a lot of benefits attached to gradually increasing your exercise duration, weights, and other aspects involved.
Try a new routine
When going to the gym starts to feel like a joyless chore, you should switch things up. If you have always done all your exercise indoors, maybe it’s time to take it outdoors. Ditch the treadmill and do some hiking. Not only will you be working for different muscle groups, but you will also get some vitamin D.
Changing your workout routine will help you get the needed boost to push through that feeling of being stuck in an exercise rut. Also, try a new workout playlist, buy a fresh pair of workout sneakers and gym apparel, workout with a group, and do anything that will bring a fresh perspective to your fitness routines.
Add some fun to it
Much like the previous tip, making your exercise fun will help prevent fitness burnout because you are always looking forward to the next session. If you are not enjoying your exercise routine, you will not feel motivated, and it can seem like punishment. If you want to maintain your fitness without feeling burned out, you must find a way to make it exciting.
If you love dancing, you should consider transforming it into a form of exercise. The same applies if you enjoy long walks through the woods or morning runs. Whatever you do, make sure that you make it fun to prevent burnout while exercising.
Eat and sleep
Whatever your fitness goals are, never compromise healthy meals and quality sleep time because they go hand in hand. Your body uses the nutrients from your food for different processes while you are asleep. Also, getting enough sleep means that your brain and other vital organs have the needed rest.
Sleep deprivation is one of the common causes of depression. And depression can lead to exercise burnout if unchecked. The same can be said about not supplying your body with adequate nutrition. Taking care of your mind and body will keep exercise burnout at bay.
