Let’s face it, life happens. Whether it’s a surprise work project, a family emergency, or just plain old burnout, sometimes our carefully crafted training routines take a tumble. It happens to all of us. The important thing is to reset and initiate ‘restart’ after missing a few (okay, maybe more than a few) training sessions.

A busy week can bleed into a busier month, excuses pile up like dirty laundry, and suddenly, the training becomes a distant memory. The flip side of ‘relapsing’ is that we can start to miss the endorphin rush, the sense of accomplishment, and even the familiar ache in our muscles. More importantly, the feeling of being in control, of taking charge of our health and well-being.

Restarting is no walk in the park, however, getting back on track is essential, to regain control and to feeling happy and healthy again.

Here are some tips if this is where you are at:

1. Ditch the all-or-nothing mentality: Perfectionism is the enemy of progress. Start small. Shorter workouts, lighter weights, more walking – anything to get your body moving again.

2. Find an accountability buddy: Misery loves company, but so does motivation! Share goals with a friend or join an online community, will help you to keep on track.

3. Celebrate small wins: Every workout, every healthy meal, is a victory. Focusing on progress, not perfection, makes the journey more enjoyable.

4. Forgive yourself: Beating yourself up doesn’t help anyone. acknowledge the setback, learn from it, and move forward with kindness.

5. Focus on the “why”: Remembering your reasons for starting in the first place – better health, more energy, stress relief ?

This restart isn’t about erasing the gap; it’s about building a bridge and getting back on track.

So, if you’re out there, fellow Restarter, remember this: You’re not alone. We all stumble, but what matters is getting back up. Let’s dust off our trainers, silence the inner critic, and celebrate the joy of movement, one step (or rep) at a time.