Experts reveal five tips for getting fit again after the Christmas break

After some much-needed time to unwind with family and friends over Christmas, getting back into your routine in the New Year can be quite a challenge, especially when it comes to working out.

But now experts have revealed five different tips for getting back into a workout routine after the celebrations.

The Fitness Volt team told FEMAIL it doesn’t have to be that difficult as tips include personalizing your workout to make it more enjoyable and training with a friend.

Meanwhile, they also revealed how setting “specific times” for exercising and “not overexerting yourself” can help.

Experts have highlighted five tips for getting back into a workout routine after the celebrations (stock image)

A Fitness Volt spokesperson commented: “When it comes to Christmas, sport is the last thing on our minds – it’s a time we want to spend with family and friends and it’s important to make the most of it.

“However, it can be difficult to find our motivation to get back in after a hiatus.

“Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to get your ambition back and your workouts more enjoyable, so you can stick with your fitness regimen into the new year and enjoy the holiday festivities with a guilt-free conscience.”

Here, the team explained what you can do in this new year to get back into a routine…

1. Set specific times

Planning your workout time is a simple but effective step. Getting back in the mood after the Christmas rush is just one of the ways you need to readjust, and it can certainly take its toll on you.

Without a gym schedule, you’ll likely find plenty of excuses for not participating in any exercise.

Consider your daily routine and choose your training spot based on where you have the most free time – this way you can mentally prepare and avoid excuses that you are too busy.

Also, a planned practice site will ensure that your workload doesn’t get out of hand as you will naturally also get back into a busy workday.

2. Don’t overexert yourself

While pushing yourself is usually encouraged in the gym, it makes sense not to push yourself to the extreme, especially after a period of non-exercise.

Whether it’s weightlifting or cardio, too much exercise can lead to overuse injuries, including muscle strains and tendon injuries, making you much less able to reach your fitness goals.

After some time off, it’s natural not to be able to lift as heavy or run as far – so it’s important not to let that discourage you, as you’ll soon improve your skills if you’re consistent with your training remain.

Additionally, overdoing it in the early stages can lead to burnout and cause you to dread a workout instead of enjoying it.

If you feel like giving up, try to commit to five minutes and stop when you feel unable to; but with that five-minute rule, it will likely motivate you to do more.

4. Partners up

Finding a friend with similar fitness goals is beneficial for many reasons, one of which is that it serves as a motivator over time.

On the days when you don’t feel like working out, a fitness partner can motivate you to get ready and get it done – and during a workout, your partner can even encourage you to take it to the next level, e.g slightly heavier weight or increasing the incline setting on the treadmill.

Having a partner can also put you in charge of keeping track of your fitness plan and recognizing any goals you still have to achieve.

Better still, it’s a time to socialize so you look forward to it more, not to mention your partner can recognize you to make your workout safer.

5. Set yourself short-term goals as well

It’s always important to think about the long-term outcome; This allows you to plan your workouts and find out which exercises work best for your needs.

However, having only one long-term goal can become frustrating when you don’t see immediate progress, and even cause you to give up completely — which is especially easy when you’re trying to get back into your routine.

Therefore, it’s important to set goals over shorter, manageable time frames and not just focus on your looks.

For example, you might want to get stronger, so a short-term goal for the end of a month could be to increase your squat load by 45 pounds.

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