We all have days when we’re not too excited about training or working out. This feeling usually passes by the next day or so, but if it doesn’t, you might be on your way to burnout.
What does burnout look like?
- You consistently procrastinate about your workouts.
- You don’t have fun during any of your workouts.
- You’re mentally tired and feel blah.
- After a workout, you don’t feel better.
- You feel irritated and moody.
Here are a few ways to prevent workout burnout:
1. Start small and realistic.
Starting a new training routine is exciting. And your motivation to do every class or workout is probably pretty high. With this level of excitement, it’s easy to pile on the workouts because you’re working hard and feeling good. However, without a balanced routine that’s sustainable, your workouts will catch up with you. The symptoms of burnout will appear. To avoid this, start small and build up slowly.
2. Mix it up.
When variety is missing from your workout routine, you might plateau and stop seeing results. And when you hit a plateau, you can lose excitement over what you’re doing to improve your health and fitness. To prevent these unmotivated feelings, make sure that you’re mixing up your workouts. Add variety by trying a new class, new instructor, or a new skill.
3. Be committed but flexible.
A consistent training routine is great because it builds good habits and helps you make progress toward your personal goals. However, if you hold yourself to every class or workout that you plan to do without any flexibility or room for modifications, the more likely it is that you’ll experience burnout. So stick to your overall commitment to your health, but let yourself have a little bit of wiggle room when it comes to how you carry out your plan.
4. Take time to recover.
Remember that recovery is a crucial component of training. When you give your body adequate time to rest, then you’re able to continue challenging yourself in your workouts. Your hard work won’t disappear if you take a day off, and you’ll get some time to recharge both physically and mentally.
At The Way Family Dojo in Magnolia, we offer a variety of martial arts programs and classes for both adults and kids. To learn more about how to get started, contact us today.