A new season of MAN v FAT Rugby is just around the corner, and whether you’re a seasoned pro or a newcomer, there are a few ways you can prepare for a shiny new season to hit the ground running.
Re-evaluate your goals
It’s a good idea to revisit your goals every now and then, and at the start of a new season is a great time to do this. Figure out a realistic weight loss goal for the season, considering where you are now, and what challenges you can foresee over the duration of the next season (for example, if you have any holidays booked).
Don’t just set goals for how much weight you want to lose – think about setting yourself a fitness challenge for something to work towards.
Think about nutrition
The best way of giving yourself a head start at the start of the season is to make sure your diet is as healthy and balanced as it can be.
Get into the habit of boosting your meals with plenty of vegetables and lean protein and focus on staying hydrated by drinking water steadily throughout the day. Doing this will help you optimize your performance on the pitch when the time comes.
Pre-season training
It’s not essential but getting into the rugby mindset before your games kick off can go a long way to boosting your performance on the field.
Start incorporating activities like running, swimming or cycling into your routine to boost your endurance and cardio fitness, and think about doing rugby-specific drills, focusing on boosting your speed, coordination, and upper body strength.
Rest and recovery
Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep a night to allow your body to recover and repair. You’ll want to arrive at your club nights feeling well rested and ready to go, and it’ll be hard to enjoy it if you’re feeling sluggish and tired.
Injury prevention
It’s always important to warm up before working out, so don’t skip the warmup. You’ll be a lot less likely to injure yourself if your body is warmed up and ready for exercise, so have a read of 5 simple dynamic warm ups to swerve injury to prepare.
Above all, try and enjoy the start of a new season! It’s great to start with a blank slate, so make the most of it by showing up, giving it your best, and enjoying it.