Happy Monday everyone! I know a lot of you are off work today, but we’re all back in work-mode here in the U.S. I must admit that since I’ve gone full-time wth Retro Flame, Mondays & Sundays feel the exact same which I think is a good sign. Another day to tackle that to-do list! I’m actually currently working on a post all about what gave me the push to quit my job and I’m going to share a lot of honest details about this past year, so keep an eye out for that tomorrow. But in the meantime, I want to talk a little about fitness. You’ll know that since the beginning of this year, I’ve really made an effort to start living a healthier lifestyle. I got stuck in, gave it my all for 2 months straight and shared the many benefits this new lifestyle change had on me. But what happened after a food-filled trip to San Francisco, a week where I didn’t sleep before launching my new Youtube Channel and then a week spent more or less in bed due to sickness? I fell off the wagon. Big time.

I didn’t go the gym for almost 3 weeks, which mightn’t seem like a very long time, but after going 3+ times every week before this, it definitely had it’s impact. Seeing as I wasn’t going to the gym, I also wasn’t eating well and before I knew it, I literally had the ultimate fear of ever going back. It’s crazy how it happens so fast! I’m a member of EQUINOX (61st Street) and I literally woke up last Friday and said to myself that it’s genuinely a shame if I don’t make the most of it. I have a state of the art gym and endless classes just 10 minutes away and I was just wasting the opportunity. So I gathered myself together and went to a Pilates class. I did NOT want to go, but as soon as I was in there, it was like I never left and that fear FINALLY went away. Now I know I’m not the only one who goes through phases like this, so I wanted to do a post today to share 5 ways to bounce back. I’m sharing the tips that helped me and will hopefully, help you too.

1. Start Small
Ok first things first, stop being so God damn hard on yourself. Yes, you slipped up for a few weeks/months/whatever, but after the first few sessions back, you’ll be flying again! After I decided I needed to get back into it, I knew that it would have to be with something I truly loved, so I started back by going to my favourite Pilates class with my favourite instructor. By starting small, it makes it a million times easier. Then every day from there on, you can start back into the harder sessions/classes. The main thing is is that you just have to get started.

2. Change your routine
I truly believe that what happened me is that I got bored. I started into this new lifestyle change completely starry-eyed and full of enthusiasm and then before long, I was starting to get very bored of that same old 45-minute routine I had to do every Tuesday. I love routine and structure, but with fitness, you just have to mix it up. So this week, I’ve decided to try 3 new EQUINOX classes that I haven’t done before and I’m so excited to actually go to them.

3. Find a gym buddy
Like everything, if you have a responsibility to do something, you’ll do it. If you promise a friend that you’ll meet them in a fairly dark Central Park at 6am to do sprints (hey Niamh, haha!) – you’ll get up & meet them. So find a friend who you know won’t let you down and starting planning together. Even just doing a workout together once a week will make a difference.

4. Find your motivation
Ok so this is a big one for me. Coachella is in 3 weeks time and what does that mean? That dreaded bikini word. Haha! The worlds most effective motivation when it comes to fitness. I know that I won’t have a full-on 6-pack by the time Coachella rolls around but I do know that if I try my best when it comes to fitness and food for the next 3 weeks, I’ll feel 100 times better at that pool. So find a motivation (which scares the crap out of you, haha) and keep working towards it.

5. Preparation
Finally, something which helps me in every aspect of life – being prepared. If I sit down for 10 minutes on a Sunday and write down exactly what classes I’m going to do this week, what days I’m going to do HIIT training, etc. – I just know there is a MUCH better chance it will actually happen. Preparation is key and is something that genuinely works. So sit down today and make that plan! You won’t regret it.

So there you have it. These 5 small steps have helped me convince myself that the gym isn’t actually evil, haha, and I hope they can do the same for you.

Have an amazing week!

Stylishly Yours,
Erika x