Variety is the spice of life, and if you've been working on the same type of fitness routine for too long, then you may end up getting bored with it. There are only so many times you can do the same workout before you start wondering what else is out there. Stopping a routine that you've been working on for a long time and switching to something new can be tough, though, especially if you're forced to because of an injury. You might hit some bumps along the way, so check out these tips for completely changing your workout routine.
Tone Down The Expectations
Remember how long it took you to train and run that first half-marathon? Or how long it took until you were throwing up 225 on the bench? Yeah, just because you worked hard and became great at one style of exercise doesn't mean that's going to immediately carry over into your new routine. This can be tough if you're being forced into a new workout because of an injury. You were great at something, and now you feel like you're starting all over. Keep “the joy is in the journey” mentality going and you'll feel better about the change.
Ease Out Of Your Old Routine
Unless you suffered an injury that make it impossible to keep going with an old routine, you should try to ease out of what you were doing before. There's no need to stop lifting completely if you want to start running, biking, or swimming. In fact, you'll probably find that you can't run 10 miles right away, so doing a little strength training might help eat up your usual workout time.
Find Partners
Chances are that your fellow marathon runners aren't powerlifters, as well. And the same goes for your gym rat, muscle-bound friends—they probably aren't crushing cardio on the reg. So if you want to successfully make the transition to something new, it might be a good idea to find some partners who are doing the same thing. Not that you have to abandon your friends, but it's so much easier to change to a new exercise regimen if you have a buddy or two doing it with you.
Get The Right Nutrition
If you're running long miles every week, you're going to need a different diet than someone who is throwing up weights and trying to build muscle mass. Every diet needs a certain balance of carbs, protein, and fat, so do your research to make sure you're eating correctly for your new workout. You won't see the results if you aren't giving your body the proper fuel.
And if you're looking to give your body the fuel it needs before or after an intense workout, then grab a Promax protein bar. With a variety of different flavors and bar types, you'll be able to find the perfect Promax bar for your workout.