Let’s face it: Prepping for Whole30 can be as difficult as being on Whole30. From expunging non-approved foods from your pantry (looking at you secret stash of dark chocolate) to overhauling your grocery list (goodbye, almond milk), planning your one-month detox requires discipline. And when it comes to working out, your go-to best practices could need refocusing, too.
Celebrity trainer Astrid Swan, who’s certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine, says modifying your exercise routine might be necessary due to the physical changes, like fatigue, you experience during the cleanse—especially since you won’t be reaching for the same quick carbs and protein you typically use to fuel your fitness routine. Rather than freezing your gym membership, though, Swan says a few tweaks to your workouts are all it takes to keep active on the diet.
Here’s how to modify your workouts to maximize results while on Whole30, according to Astrid Swan.
Be realistic with your expectations
If you’re new to working out and are using Whole30 as a chance to create a healthy lifestyle for yourself, congrats. But remember to stay realistic with your goals and what you hope to accomplish with such a big lifestyle shift—or risk burning out before you’ve even had a chance to shine.
“If you’ve never worked out before and woke up on January 1 and said to yourself, ‘This is my year! I’m going to work out five times per week and do Whole30!’ It’s too much to handle, too soon,” Swan cautions.
Stay realistic with your goals and what you hope to accomplish with such a big lifestyle shift—or risk burning out before you’ve even had a chance to shine.
Instead, she advises keeping your focus on feeling good while following Whole30, rather than overwhelming yourself with the new eating habits and a super-intense workout schedule simultaneously. A great balance, according to Swan, is starting with three workouts per week and (maybe) working up from there. After all, you’ll likely be experiencing a
