Breaking the Streak: How Many Days Can You Really Workout in a Row?
Starting a fitness journey is very exciting but many cannot keep up with the frequency they set up for themselves. There are many factors as to why this happens but in today’s blog I want to share with you how many days can you really workout in a row before either your body gives up or you begin to make negative progress.
I’ll share with you 3 key factors that will ultimately break any streak and some tell tale signs that your body is approaching the limit to finally call for a rest day. Let’s get to it!
Streak Breaker Factor #1 - Malnourishment
I cannot stress this enough. FOOD IS ENERGY. You cannot go the distance if you are underfed or eat too many foods with low-nutritional value. Foods that are whole and less-processed are the highest in nutritional value because of the vitamins, minerals and macronutrients that every cell in your body needs to maximize energy production, promote effective digestion and speed up recovery.
If you skip meals and eat trash food, there is no possible way that you’ll be able to workout more than 2 days in a row. Skipping meals is like trying to drive your car with the “low gasoline” warning light on. You wouldn’t be able to push your car hard or very far. You’ll feel fatigued during your workout and the potential of making an actual change significantly decreases.
Eating processed foods is like giving your car the wrong type of gasoline. Your body is a Ferrari but if you give it the lowest tier gas, it’s going to make the engine fail on you when you least expect it. Same exact thing happens with your body. You think those extra calories will be useful, but because it is the lowest quality of energy, you will feel tired, weak and slow.
If you want to increase your gym streak, you have to consistently and continuously eat foods that are whole and less-processed. Keep your body fueled all the time with these high-quality foods and your streak will dramatically increase.
Streak Breaker Factor #2 - You’re Working Out EXTREMELY Hard
Too much of a good thing eventually becomes bad. If you workout TOO hard and try to attempt that same kind of intensity every time; that is a one-way ticket to Burnout City. I’m definitely not against working out hard but you have to ease yourself into that stage.
If you went from sitting on a coach throughout the holidays and then all of sudden workout until your face turns purple, it’s too much of an extreme change. This will backfire on your because what goes up must come back down with the same intensity. So if your workout is extremely intense, your muscles’ damage is will also be extremely intense.
You can see why Factor #1 plays a huge role and bounces right off of this one because if you workout extremely hard AND you’re malnourished; this combination is enough to make you quit your fitness journey altogether.
If you want to increase your gym streak, you have to meet your body where you are. Doing too much too soon creates a strong and negative recoil. Ease your way into this. If you did lighter exercise sessions and eased your way into harder sessions, your streak will DEFINITELY increase.
Streak Breaker #3 - Your Workouts are Boring
If you do the same thing every time or not finding ways to constantly challenge yourself, the fun factor is removed and you’ll never find the joy in exercising. This is why having a fitness trainer is so valuable because they know how to make exercising fun. They know how to keep you focused, guide you towards a goal during the workout and know how to psychologically keep you out of your comfort zone.
Anything is enjoyable and easy to do consistently if you find the fun in it. In fitness, there are so many ways to switch routines up to keep it fresh. Using different machines, changing the exercise and rest times, using different equipment or changing workout environments are all great ways to keep the streak unbroken.
If you want to increase your gym streak, you have to make a plan of fun workouts. Don’t just show up and gravitate towards that same workout every time. This is making me sleepy just typing this. Have a plan to switch things up but if you’re really struggling with this part, this is a sign you NEED a fitness professional to spice up your fitness routine.
Tell Tale Signs Your Streak is About to “BREAK”
- You’re hungry all the time.
- You’re tired/sleepy all the time.
- You’re sore all the time.
- You don’t “feel like going”.
- You’re sore more than 2 days.
- You’re tired of the same workout.
- You never push yourself outside your limit
- You yawn at the gym.
- You’re slow to do everything you do.
- You think about your stresses at the gym.
- You can’t focus or get easily distracted.
- You procrastinate going to the gym.
Conclusion: These streak-breaking factors will ultimately determine how long one can workout in a row. BUT as a fitness professional, I wouldn’t challenge your body like this. Rest and recovery is so important and it will determine how long you actually keep exercising in your lifetime.
Honestly…who cares about a streak. The only thing you’re trying to impress with a streak is either your ego or the the expectations of other people. Respect your body, find the fun in movement and do it ONLY for your Self because your happiness and peace is and will always be a top priority.
Thank you for reading, I hope this helped you! Please share this with someone that needs to hear this!
- Carl Anthony Grande
Are you tired of starting something and never finishing it?
If you are ready to turn this year into a productive one, apply for a No-Sweat Intro to Empyrea and we will spark the change that you want to see in your workouts and fitness goals!
Empyrea is the most effective gym in the area because we focus on the most important things that make the biggest fitness changes in the shortest time - LIKE MAKING WORKOUTS FUN AND MOTIVATING. Try us and live the difference today!
