The short answer to that question would be yesterday. In fact, the sooner you start, the better. However, it all depends on your goals and what you're trying to accomplish.
If you're someone who only has about 5-10 lbs to lose and that's all you want to do, you will probably be fine if you want to start getting back into shape a few months before summer starts. However, if you have more specific goals in mind such as getting those 6-pack abs or shaping your glutes and arms, it's better to start working out as soon as possible. I'd even go as far to say you should have started back in September.
After all, we all have our good days and our bad days when it comes to working out. We all have our cheat days and downfalls. But by starting to train a whole year in advance, you give yourself more time to accomplish your goals and when you do have cheat days, you don't feel so guilty because you know you have many months to make up for it and to continue to make progress.
Starting early also helps to create lasting habits that won't just end when the summer hits. The mindset of only working out during the 3 months before summer starts shouldn't even exist. Those short 3 months will not outweigh all the pigging out that you do during the Fall and Winter holidays and summer vacations. It's inevitable that you are going to probably eat more than usual on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas, New Year's, and any other holiday parties you usually go to. These events do not sneak up on you. They are expected to happen every single year, and yet we still make excuses for why we can't get in shape until after they are over.
The holidays should not be treated as a road block, but rather, just something that happens like any other normal day. Think about it this way. Pretend for a minute that you had three birthday celebrations to go to in one month. Would you say to yourself, "Well, I know I'm going to eat a lot this month because of those three celebrations, so I'll just wait until they're over to go back to the gym." Absolutely not! That would be ridiculous. They are just events that will inevitably happen and you know you might eat a little more than usual, but it doesn't stop you from going to the gym or doing what you want to do the rest of the month.
The holidays should be treated the same way. Just a natural occurrence. You know it will happen, but it shouldn't prevent you from doing what you want to do and deter you from your goals. Fitness is a marathon, not a race, and change doesn't just happen overnight. If you're willing to commit to fitness for the long run and make incremental changes over time, then the holidays won't be something that throws you off your game. The truth is that people who use the holiday excuse generally just don't want to change. They don't want to put in the work and effort required to look and feel better. They want to stay stuck, and that's fine, but life should be about moving forward.
If you want to look and feel great this summer start now! Every day you delay yourself is one more day of progress that could have been utilized.
Here are some small tips to get back on the right track again:
-Drink water! Many people don't realize how many of their calories they actually drink. Drinking water will keep you more hydrated throughout the day, start to decrease your cravings for sugary beverages, and also help to decrease your calorie intake.
-Start Small. If you haven't been back to the gym in a while, don't go hard and kill yourself on Day 1. Start with some light cardio or take a fun class to get your body familiar again. Even if you only start off by going once or twice a week, remember that any progress is better than sitting on your ass.
-Nutrition First: Did you know that molecules from your food may control up to 30% of your genes? That's a significant amount! In fact, "cooked plant foods like rice, wheat and potatoes can collect in your blood and tissue, leading to a number of potential health problems..." possibly even cancer. Limiting carbohydrates from grains and potatoes, and instead focusing on carbs from vegetable sources will not only boost your immune system, but it will be more in line with what your body and DNA requires to function properly. Most people think that going to the gym will solve all of their problems, but nutrition is the #1 most important factor when it comes to your health and getting faster results. Focus more on proper nutrition, and you will definitely see faster results in the gym.
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I hope this helps! If you have any questions or remarks, feel free to leave a comment below!
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