Getting back into your groove: escaping the fitness rut
By Britta Miller
April 30, 2021
Image Credit: Courtesy of HappyVeganFit for Pixabay
With gyms closed or offering limited hours due to the pandemic, many have found themselves stuck in a rut when it comes to their fitness. Navigating this can be difficult, but luckily it is possible to find your way out.
Spring weather is finally here, and that means more opportunities to get outside and get active! Junior finance major Christie Karayianis says when she gets in a fitness slump, she thinks about why she wants to workout and what she wants to accomplish.
“Honestly, sometimes it really changes depending on how I’m feeling. Sometimes I want to workout to gain muscle and feel strong, but sometimes I just want to de-stress from work and classes,” she said.
Sophomore kinesiology major Kaitlyn Hannigan, as well as Karayianis, had very similar views: they both try to remind themselves what they’re doing and why.
“I try to remind myself that right now it may suck, but after you workout you’ll feel a lot better, which is always true. I just try to push through the tough days and stick to a light workout to get the job done,” Hannigan said.
Marci Benda is a licensed physical therapist at LifeStrength in Towson. He suggests taking hikes with friends or doing outdoor classes.
“Get a group together and each person is responsible for leading the workout once a week,” she said.
She also recommends the Strava app for runners and bikers. It’s free, and includes all kinds of ways to challenge your friends, such as races or competing for mileage.
“You can check your friends’ workouts and they can check yours--can give kudos and comments too!” Benda said.
There are lots of ways to jumpstart your journey back into exercising, but do what’s right for you. Don’t push yourself to do too much too fast. Remember that mindset is important, and remind yourself of the “why” behind your actions. Clear your headspace and get back into your passion!
Spring weather is finally here, and that means more opportunities to get outside and get active! Junior finance major Christie Karayianis says when she gets in a fitness slump, she thinks about why she wants to workout and what she wants to accomplish.
“Honestly, sometimes it really changes depending on how I’m feeling. Sometimes I want to workout to gain muscle and feel strong, but sometimes I just want to de-stress from work and classes,” she said.
Sophomore kinesiology major Kaitlyn Hannigan, as well as Karayianis, had very similar views: they both try to remind themselves what they’re doing and why.
“I try to remind myself that right now it may suck, but after you workout you’ll feel a lot better, which is always true. I just try to push through the tough days and stick to a light workout to get the job done,” Hannigan said.
Marci Benda is a licensed physical therapist at LifeStrength in Towson. He suggests taking hikes with friends or doing outdoor classes.
“Get a group together and each person is responsible for leading the workout once a week,” she said.
She also recommends the Strava app for runners and bikers. It’s free, and includes all kinds of ways to challenge your friends, such as races or competing for mileage.
“You can check your friends’ workouts and they can check yours--can give kudos and comments too!” Benda said.
There are lots of ways to jumpstart your journey back into exercising, but do what’s right for you. Don’t push yourself to do too much too fast. Remember that mindset is important, and remind yourself of the “why” behind your actions. Clear your headspace and get back into your passion!