Tales from the Front New Year's Edition

"Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other." - Abraham Lincoln



Hello snowflakes,



As the holiday season winds down, the reality of back to work and back to school is settling in. And with it, comes the task for some, to get back to a normal training schedule, while not being discouraged about fitness lost during the holidays. Since I talk to most of you regularly, that doesn't seem to be an issue at all, but know that the holidays do take a mental toll, so before you go all in tomorrow or this week, hard charging into workouts, here are a few tips for the 2013 reset -



1. Do Not go all in the first week back to training. Although your mind might be craving exercise, if you were not solid with your training, your body isn't ready for that kind of assault. Go into the first week slowly, build up steam by the end of the week, and you'll find a smooth transition back to standard training protocols



2. Use extra caution around public places or your work place if you have been off for a while. Right now, there is a really nasty strand of the flu out there, so bad, that's its actually had people bed ridden for a week at a time. Wash your hands, make sure you are taking your Omega 3's, and vitamin C and D. I know I am a germaphob, but seriously, it hasn't been cold enough to really kill everything off, so be smart.



3. Dress warm when you are outside. If you train outside, don't overdress. One of the biggest mistakes I see people make, they over-dress, then over-heat, then, a chill sets in with sopping wet clothes and that's a prime way to get sick. You want to feel slightly cold when you start training outside. For example, I run outside all winter. I don't wear pants or tights unless its below 20. I wore shorts today. Why? B/c my legs overheat, which leads to me sweating profusely, then getting that chill I don't want.



4. Get on a regular eating schedule. If you over-indulged during the holidays, don't get cute and start trying to do more on less calories. Sure fire way to get sick or to burn out fast. Eat cleaner, eat with regularity and things will be ok.



5. Get more sleep. I know that sounds easy, and truthfully, it is. Stop watching garbage for hours till 2 am, and get to sleep!!!! Sleep is going to be the most critical thing right now. Be smart, and get quality sleep. Lights out.



6. Change up your workout schedule. Change which day is your rest day. Change the harder days vs. the easier ones. Don't let your body get comfortable. Although you will still be improving fitness by staying on the same schedule, you will find ever greater improvements by switching up when you train and the days you do it. For example, I know what my Monday's will look like, but, the type of workout will always be different. My body never gets comfortable and keeps changing for the better.


I'm OUT.



--

Stay Strong,

Guy