Missing my workout
I’ve been missing my workout lately. Actually, I’ve been missing a lot of things…writing on the blog included!
I went for a little over a week without a workout because I was just feeling terrible. It was hard to do anything, let alone think about working out. Seriously. It was one of the worst stomach bugs, and I didn’t even throw up. The first night, I was just so achy and everything hurt, then I was so nauseous, all I could do was lay down and sleep.
Luckily, I got some much-needed help from my family, so I could rest. Everyone is allowed some sick days, right? Even us moms.
So, now that I’m about at 98%, what do I do? I was used to going to the gym at least three times a week, but now I can barely walk around the grocery store. How do you get back into the routine once you’re feeling better? Or if you’ve never worked out, how do you start?
Start out with the basics
Before even attempting a workout, I just attempted regular household activities. I did laundry, cleaned the kitchen, cleaned the bathroom…basically disinfected from my sickness. It also got me moving a bit, since I had been horizontal for a couple of days.
Keep Hydrated
Food still had no appeal even after the worst was over, so I just had to force myself to keep drinking. Plain water didn’t taste too good either, so I drank a lot of tea. Hot tea, cold tea, and then water with lemon.
Ease into it
Once I felt like I could do normal things, like cleaning, going to the store, and chasing my toddlers around, it was time to start thinking of going back to the gym. At first, I had lost a bit of my motivation, but I also missed working out. I knew that I’d feel better if I just went to the gym. The first time back is the hardest, right?
It was an easier class that I have been to many times before. I was really gentle with myself, and allowed myself to take breaks, get water, and just re-accumulate to being active. I still broke a sweat, so I know I got a workout.
Take care of yourself after
I made sure to stretch out really well, took a hot shower to ease my muscles, and used a heating pad on my problem area…my lower back, from years of ballet. Plenty of rest for my body, including stretching, was on the schedule for the next day. No class, but I wouldn’t just lay around. Perhaps some walking or another low impact activity. Like chasing my twins! The following day I would try it all again.
By the end of the week, I was back in my boot camp class, which is the hardest one for me. I still wasn’t up to my full strength, but it felt good, and I didn’t hurt myself.
This week still won’t be back to my normal workout routine, but it’s getting closer. I certainly don’t want to hurt myself or pick up something else because my resistance is low, so I’m continuing to get plenty of rest, drink plenty of fluids, and take my vitamins.
So, how do you do it? How do you get back into working out?
Take it easy! I am glad you are getting back up to speed. Being sick is never fun. I wasn’t even sick last week but my workouts went out the window :/
Life sometimes just gets in the way. You’ll get back to it too!
It’s so hard to get back into a routine when you’ve been out of it for a while. Kudos to you for getting back into it!
Thank you!
It is! Thank you!
Great tips!
I hate being sick too.
I definitely plan on hitting the gym tonight.
xoxo, Jenny
I’m actually headed there in a few…as soon as I get the twins dressed. So, actually probably about an hour 😉
Getting back to the gym after a long break is the worst! I was doing so well before the holidays, but then I got really sick at Thanksgiving. Now, it is months later and I still haven’t gotten back into the habit of going regularly. Its so hard! How do you find the motivation???
The first day was definitely the hardest. I just have to keep pushing myself to go. Once you get going again, you won’t want to stop. Just try to remember how good it felt when you were there all the time.
Ugh, I just told the hubby that we need to start eating healthy and working out! I think it is so much easier to work out when the weather is nice out!
Agreed. Although, in Wisconsin, nice weather is pretty rare 😉
Gah I took just a simple week off from barre classes and this morning I was dying! I totally agree with easing back in – give yourself a break and avoid injuries!
Ughhhhi took last week off from everything because my daughter had off from school and Ughh!! Having the worst time getting back into everything. Working out, blogging and all lol…
I am glad you are feeling a little better finally! I know when I am sick I want nothing more to just rest. Getting back into working out after I am sick takes some serious motivation. It takes motivation even when I am not sick to work out. I feel that if you ease slowly back into working out that is the best (at least for me it is). I have doing really well with working out 3 times a week so far. Here is to getting a much better looking body again.
Wow, I think I had something very similar to you! My son had the stomach bug and passed it on to me. He threw up a few times, but all I had was horrible, cramping stomach pain that lasted two days. It’s been over a week and I am still trying to get back in the swing of things. I missed taking my dog for walks. I think you just have to give yourself the needed rest time and then slowly ease back in!
Agreed. It was really the worst, right?
I got back into the gym this month and I think I made the mistake of not taking care of myself afterwards. 🙁 These are great tips to remember for next time
I’m needing to keep myself more hydrated, I’m still breastfeeding and it’s so much easier to forget when you have someone clinging off of you! I’ve been doing yoga and walking, it’s making me feel awesome!
I haven’t been to the gym since Friday and I’m about to lose my
Mind. I’m the person that really needs to work out as badly as I need food. Bit ado kids and sick hubby are taking a toll on me.
I love this post. I used to work out regularly but kind of fell off. Lately I have been dreading starting back, but this will help me do it right!
Awesome! Thank you!
It took me a really long time…my babies are almost 4!!! You’ll get there.
Thanks for stopping by. It took me until my babies were three before I found my motivation, so you’ll get there. If you need any support, I’m here.
Thank you! And yes, it was just awful.
So happy you’re feeling better! 🙂 Getting back into a workout after being sick or injured is tough for me – I just want to start back where I was before I had to stop. I just got over a back injury that kept me on the floor for 3 months … I couldn’t believe how much flexibility I had lost in my yoga when I finally was well enough to get back into it. Luckily, it was pretty easy to build back up by taking it a little at a time. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Flexibility is so hard for me to get back…especially as I get older. Glad to hear you are healed.
Boy, there are a LOT of stomach bugs going around everywhere! I am glad that you are feeling back up to par!
I really struggle with this. I need to find a way!
Great tips!!! I feel like this year has been harder on sicknesses than most, not sure why. We have been “down” in some way (minus a week or 2 here and there) since October. I’m definitely ready for warmer weather and the ability to get out of the house for a while. The tips about easing into it and not hurting yourself Spot on!!! <3
Ugh..since October?! That’s awful. I hope you guys all feel better soon. Come on Spring!
I wish I could tell you I did it at all! Ha – I am a chronic workout starter and stopper. I need to work to stay motivated!
Ha ha!
Yuck, I’m so sorry to hear you were sick with that bug! You make a really good point that starting out with basic home tasks is definitely necessary before getting back into workouts. Those feel like a workout when you’ve been sick!
Exactly!
These are great tips! It’s always hard to get back into it after being sick!