Have you been working out with a personal trainer? Or maybe you’ve been improving your strength and mobility with an Athletic Therapist? Have you finally started to reduce your pain and stress with an RMT? Then GO YOU! That’s amazing. Now comes the tricky part. Maintaining your progress.

Whether you’re continuing to work with a professional or doing it on your own, remember…maintenance is a fitness goal with no deadline. It’s something you have to work on forever. And that is daunting.

However, we’re going to provide simple tips to make it a little easier to maintain what you’ve already achieved. Now, here we go:

1. Move. Consistently.

First, whether you’re trying to maintain weight loss, muscle mass, reduced pain, increased mobility or any of a hundred other fitness related goals, there is no better way to do that than by moving. Walk, run, dance, stretch, bike, play. Do yoga or aqua fitness or pilates. Climb a mountain, hike a trail, take a swim. It doesn’t matter as long as you get moving and stay moving.

Our bodies were designed to move and move often. Movement is such a key part of our overall health. It strengthens muscles and bones and improves things like mental health and circulation.

You don’t have to hit the gym, play for a team or take a class, but you do have to get up and moving. Movement will help lubricate your joints to help you maintain mobility, range of motion and keep pain levels in check. It’s medicine, in every way.

2. Outfit your Home with the Basics.

Next, no matter what your fitness goal is, set yourself up for success by outfitting your home with the essentials.

Bands, a yoga mat and a lacrosse ball.

None of these items takes up much room and all are inexpensive and easy to find.

Resistance bands come in all different sizes and intensities. They are great tools for building strength, home workouts, stretching assistance and therapy or mobility drills. You can also start light and change your band to one more challenging as you progress. They’re a nice alternative to hand weights in the home or a great accompaniment if you already have a well stocked home gym.

Yoga mats are the real heroes when it comes to at home stretching. They set the tone and help create a ritual around gentle movement. Honestly, there’s something about laying out a yoga mat and re-rolling it after a great stretch/yoga session that makes you feel accomplished. Buy one in a bright colour so you can’t ignore it and find a 10-minute Yoga or stretch video on YouTube to follow along.

Lacrosse Balls are the perfect at home RMTs and they only cost around $7. Their density is perfect for massaging away stiffness and soreness in tight muscles. Use it in between sessions with your Massage Therapist or to relax after an intense workout. This is one purchase we promise you won’t regret.

3. Have an Accountability Buddy.

Your accountability buddy can be your trainer, a friend, family member, teammate or even an app. Research shows that something as simple as telling another person your goal increases your chances of achieving it by 65%! Setting a regular check-in is said to increase those odds even greater.

Then, why skip something so easy? Ask your partner or your best friend to help you maintain your health and challenge them to maintain or improve theirs in the meantime!

4. Stay Hydrated.

Dehydrated tissue does not move as smoothly or easily as tissue that’s properly hydrated or lubricated. Proper hydration allows muscles, joints and ligaments to function with ease. As a result, just getting enough water can help reduce general aches and pains, stiffness and limited mobility. If you’re trying to maintain a newly found pain-free state, range of motion or even weight loss, drinking water is as simple a tip as they come.

So do your body a favour and drink up. Keep a water bottle with you at all times and make sure to keep sipping throughout the day.

5. Book Maintenance Appointment.

Finally, this one requires only a click of the mouse (most of the time). One of the simplest things you can do to help maintain your fitness goals is book follow up appointments with professionals. Our bodies are advanced machines. Unsurprisingly, they require tune ups now and then. Would you skip an oil change or the maintenance for your car? We hope not. So why is maintaining your health any different?

All in all, Athletic therapists, Registered Massage Therapists, Personal Trainers and other wellness professionals, are all there to help you succeed: no matter what your goals are. And if they helped you get to where you are now, you can bet they want to help you stay there! You’re not the only one invested in your well-being. Plus, professionals are able to help keep things moving smoothly, spot potential issues and tackle lingering problems.

Also, if you have health benefits through your employer make sure you’re using them up every year. That’s treatment you’ve already paid for. So don’t let it go to waste! Many benefits cover professionals like Athletic, Physio or Registered Massage Therapists, Osteopaths and Chiropractors. If you’re not sure what’s covered, talk to your employer or HR representative today.

Ultimately

While achieving your goals (and maintaining them afterward) aren’t the easiest, we’re here to help, whatever that looks like for you. If you have questions or need to book a maintenance appointment with an Athletic Therapist or Registered Massage Therapist don’t wait! Contact us here anytime.