Holiday Aftermath
In spite of the tips we had given you
previously on how to cope with the holiday season and its effect on your physique, I am
very certain many of you still put on an extra pound or two. As a result, you will no
doubt be in a hurry to get back to your training regime and undo the damages
done to you. Kudos for that. However, before you head right away to the gym and attack the
machines fanatically or start dieting with a vengeance, you should understand that doing
these could do more harm than good. Chances are you might injure yourself because you are
weaker, mentally and physically, after the break from training. Your strict diet
might lasts a while before you say quit. Basically your mind and body are still not
accustomed to the training program nor the diet. Trying to do a drastic change in
lifestyle at this point of time is not recommended. Here's how to do it properly:
- Take out your diary/training journal and write down your new
goal. Plan out a program to help you achieve it.
- Begin your training by cutting back all your
intensity by approximately 20% and build it up to your last best intensity over a
period of at least 3 weeks (the longer the better). This is applicable to both weights and
cardio training. For weights, it means using 20% less weight. For cardio, it means
starting at speed about 20% less.
- If your previous weight training involved splitting up
your bodyparts into different days, during this break-in period you can do a whole body
workout since you will be using much less weight. Keep the exercises to compound types
only. Gradually split the bodyparts into two sessions as you progresses.
- For your diet, if you still have the cravings for the sweet
pastries and fat-laden food (thanks to the holidays), don't fight it. Continue to eat
them, but in smaller portions. Continue cutting back the portions until you are no longer
eating them. Take your time.
Here you have them, some of the best strategies to help you
recover the body you had before the holiday.
