Are you an on-again off-again yo-yo exerciser?

Here’s how to break the cycle and make working out a habit for good.

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Because lets be real: Life happens.

woman sweating in the gym

Bill Sukala is an exercise physiologist with PhD in exercise science.

Best-laid plans to hit the gym before work or squeeze in a Pilates class at lunch sometimes get waylaid.

Before we realize it, weve gotten completely derailed for weeks, or even months.

Experts in This Article

Bill Sukala is an exercise physiologist with PhD in exercise science.

Woman walking on a treadmill at the gym.

Then, low and behold, we get back into it!

But is the yo-yo exercise routine doing more harm to our bodies than we realize?

Thatsore feelingafter a big workout is your muscle fibers tearing and rebuilding to become stronger as they repair themselves.

Full body female athlete in sportswear using rowing machine during fitness workout in gym.

So how can you break the cycle?

Injury is an all-too-common reason eager exercisers fall off the wagon.

Resting gives your muscles a chance to regroup.

Happy woman dancing and listening to music near a green empty wall outdoor in the city.

Bill Sukala is an exercise physiologist with PhD in exercise science.

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Healthy female training in the gym, performing a hip thrust.

Maybe you were really cranking on five mile runs but havent hit the trails in a while?

Dont be afraid to start slow and let your body catch up to where you were.

Maybe thats joining a co-ed kickball league, or taking up a new hobby like roller skating.

A young black woman doing post-run stretches in the park on the road amidst green grass and trees.

Exercise roller coaster riders often set vague goals, which sets them up for inevitable failure, he says.

Its like youve got the exercise compass, but theres no needle to guide you.

Once you make it a habit, it will become second nature.

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