What do you do if your functional training routine is taking a toll on your self-care?

In my experience, this is a hard one for people to do. It takes time to understand what you body is trying to tell you. But keep listening and try to pick up on patterns. Rest days are extremely important, the term "No days off" shouldn't be taken so literally. Rest is just as important as the workouts you put in. If you are not taking time to rest, your body cannot repair and rebuild. You need to schedule rest days to help prevent injury, burnout and for your mental health. Signs of over-training include poor sleep, lack of motivation, fatigue, irritability, consistently sore and achy, dread of working out or doing other day to day activities,etc. Keep your mind and body healthy by taking adequate recovery and rest days.

In my experience it is about efficiency, balance and discipline. Set a specific time to get it done. Time limits avoid procrastination, remove guesswork and ensure efficiency. Incorporate time for rest and relaxation throughout your day. Time with family, favorite hobbies, reading, journaling and all great ways to switch off mentally and recharge your batteries. Developing the discipline to complete tasks even when you do not 'feel like it' is key. Motivation is temporary, but those you consistently succeed are those who put in the reps towards their long term goals even when they are not motivated.

If your functional training routine is affecting your self-care, it's important to reassess your approach. Incorporate rest days into your schedule to allow your body time to recover and prevent burnout. Explore different forms of exercise that focus on relaxation and flexibility, such as yoga or meditation. Prioritize nutrition and hydration to support your body's needs during intense workouts. Listen to your body and adjust your training intensity accordingly to maintain balance and overall well-being. Remember, self-care is essential for sustaining long-term fitness goals.

1. Prioritize Self-Care: Allocate time for rest, recovery, and activities that promote well-being. 2. Adjust Intensity: Modify training intensity to prevent burnout and maintain balance. 3. Incorporate Recovery: Integrate active recovery days and techniques like stretching and foam rolling. 4. Seek Support: Consult a fitness professional for guidance on balancing training with self-care. 5. Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to signs of fatigue or overtraining and adjust routine accordingly. 6. Explore Alternatives: Consider alternative training methods or activities that complement your fitness goals while prioritizing self-care.

Have a plan but be open to change. I am a firm believer in listening to your body and adjusting your workout to it. Never hesitate to change a workout if you aren't feeling 100%. If you have been sitting in the car for hours, you may feel you need to spend extra time to stretch,etc. That may mean you have to do one less exercise planned for the day. If you had a very stressful day, you may want to adjust to incorporate exercises that you find help relieve some of that stress. If you had an extremely poor night of sleep you may want to avoid certain exercises since you are at a higher risk of injury and a slower reaction time. Whatever routine you chose make sure you aren't stuck to it.

Whatever routine you undertake it needs to be customized to you for best results. Results are based on utilizing what works, and adhering to it consistently over time. If what you do is not developed for you and your context you will never maintain it. Start small and build consistency. Develop a daily routine you can repeat. Remove friction wherever possible. Make it easy to maintain.

Get professional advice on the best way to set up your training plan. It is important to have the correct training principles, program and volume for you and your goals to ensure you are getting the most benefit out of your training. This also helps to not only maximize results but also reduce the risk overtraining, injury and burnout.

Exercise isn't the only form of self-care. While there are amazing benefits of a working out, it shouldn't come at the risk of neglecting the other ways we take care of ourselves such as sleep, rest days, etc. More is not always better, even though social media may try to convince us other wise. Over doing it with your training can lead to fatigue, lack of motivation, feelings of frustration and a decline in health and progress. Make sure your training schedule is realistic and sustainable. Know that taking a day off to prioritize other forms of self-care is okay and encouraged. Setting boundaries can help you with a sustainable and manageable system to maintain success.

Check in with yourself regularly. This is the best way to make sure you are focusing on what is important. Ask yourself how you are feeling mentally and physically. Take note of your progress and whether it has been on an incline or a decline. Ask yourself if you are still feeling motivated and enjoying your workouts. If you feel overwhelmed or frustrated and are losing motivation, desire and progress then it is time reevaluate your program. Try to determine what part of your program causes these feelings and adjust appropriately. Consistently checking in can help keep you on track and keep your total health and wellness in a priority .

If you are not sure about how to start, a huge ROI is seeking professional help. One of the best avenues for self development and success is to leverage the experience of those who have done exactly what you would like to do. This removes all of the guesswork, ensures what are you doing is optimal, and helps you to get better results in a fraction of the time. Plus a layer of accountability never hurt anyone.

Never hesitate to seek guidance. This is can come on many forms. You can join a community of people on the same journey, do some research online from reputable sources or seek help from a fitness professional. A personal trainer or coach can help develop a plan or program that creates the balance you need. You may find out that there is a better and more efficient way to achieve your goals. A good coach will also express the importance of those rest and recovery days. This in return will also help you feel more motivated and confident in your ability.