The Best Tricks to Beat Any Fitness Slump

from: http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/new-exercise-tips?cm_mmc=Newsletter-_-1194542-_-02072013-_-MakinganExerciseComeback-ReadMore

You Work Insane Hours

Twelve-hour workdays don't leave much time for boot camps or long runs in the park (or even short runs in the park!).

Training Tip: Plan workouts when you have the fewest conflicts, which for most people is first thing in the a.m. not an early riser? Inch your alarm back a little every few days; it will gradually reset your body's clock, so you'll have more energy, says ken baum, author of The Mental Edge. If you love (or need) to hit the gym at night, get changed before you leave work. That initial step will help you follow through.

Mental Trick: Keep this in mind: not only can daily exercise help your mental sharpness, learning, and memory, but a recent study found that working out three or more times a week leads to higher pay.

You Were Sidelined by Injury

People either rush into their former workouts, which puts them at risk for another injury, or are so afraid of getting hurt again they put it off altogether.

Training Tip: After your doctor clears you, scale back your routine by at least 50 percent for two weeks, says exercise physiologist Jonathan Cane. (Or pick our "out of shape" routine.) Back off a bit if you begin nursing the area: Favoring a sore spot throws off your form, which can cause new injuries.

Mental Trick: "Challenge those negative, 'poor me' thoughts," says Mantell. "Staying positive may sound like psychobabble, but it really works." And while it's normal to be nervous, you can trust your doctor's orders when he gives you the A-OK, says Trent Petrie, Ph.D., director of the Center for Sport Psychology at the University of North Texas.

You Partied too Hard Over the Holidays

Weeks of eating, drinking, and partying (and not exercising) have left you feeling overwhelmed by the idea of having to undo the damage.

Training Tip: Hitting the gym hard come January can quickly lead to burnout. Rather than double your sessions or hours of cardio, choose manageable activities, like yoga or short strength circuits.

Mental Trick: There's this feeling of, Oh, what the hell, it's too late now. But keep in mind, it's easier to drop two pounds than 10, which could happen if you delay your comeback. You don't have to give up all indulgences cold turkey, either. Make one healthy swap or change each day to ease back on track.