Have you ever tried an exercise routine only to give up? If yes, you’re not the only one. A lot of people get started with fitness routines, but might stop once they become bored, don’t like it, or the results appear too slow. Here are 6 suggestions to help you stay on track.
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Pick a routine you enjoy
The most effective motivation for anyone who doesn’t find their exercise routine enjoyable is to find something you love. Doing something you like will make your exercise a lot more enjoyable, thus making it more likely that you will stick with it. That said, you should also be realistic about your abilities and preferences. In some ways, if you are starting out as a beginner, picking an easier routine is better because you won’t have much to overcome. You’ll know exactly what to expect and you can move a lot faster. Keep your exercise schedule flexible Keep track of your progress over the weeks and months by scheduling your workouts around your weekly activities. If you have to work, you can take your workouts during lunch hours, or you can fit them into the breaks between tasks.
Set goals for yourself
This should be your first point of entry. You can easily write down your goals to put you in the right frame of mind to achieve them. Write them on a piece of paper, or on a post-it note, or in a notebook, or some kind of notebook. Do regular short workouts If you’re not already familiar with short workouts, and don’t feel like you’re in the position to change anything in your life (such as a job), just start with short workouts. You can do 3-5 minutes of working out 5-6 times a week. If you’re not sure where to commence, start by walking. Get up from your desk and walk around for 3-5 minutes every hour, then do squats for 5 minutes, then a short run. Repeat that process every day.
Make time for your workout
When you know what you want to do, you’re going to be much more committed to working out. Whenever I have time, I make it a point to exercise. That’s probably the main reason I have been able to lose more than 40 pounds and keep it off over the years. Making time in your schedule to exercise is key to getting motivated and sticking to your routine. I usually fit in a 15-minute jog first thing in the morning before I get started on my day. Be consistent To stay motivated, you need to be consistent. You need to understand that it will not be easy at first. Give yourself a few weeks to get the hang of it and see how it goes. If you go hard for a few weeks, you’ll build up some good momentum that will keep you on track and focused.
Find a workout buddy
Do you need more motivation to work out? Join a workout group where you can motivate each other and find other exercise buddies to share your journey with. Creating an exercise program is much easier with a friend who can motivate you and keep you motivated. Remember, fitness is a lifestyle and you should commit to a good workout regimen for a lifetime. The American Council on Exercise defines a good workout routine as 20 minutes three to four times a week. In order to exercise at a consistent level, it is best to incorporate some kind of physical activity on a daily basis. This way, you will get more benefits out of your exercise.
Get rid of negative self-talk
When you start a new exercise routine, the temptation is to give up before you’ve even started. Keep reminding yourself of the benefits of doing physical activity. Do things at a slow and steady pace, without rushing to the finish line. Being too excited will definitely lead to failure, but too negative will have you giving up too soon. 3 Make a commitment This is something I know from experience. You don’t know how long it takes to get into shape. Everyone is different. For some people, one month might be too soon and for others, it might be too late. You don’t want to give up too soon or too late, so it’s best to commit to yourself and pick something you can stick with. Think about it and try to answer the question: “How long will it take me to lose this weight?”.
Reward yourself
It’s important to have a system in place to stay motivated, but keeping your motivation up can be tough. There are many ways to motivate yourself, from consuming “good” foods to paying for experiences, but I find it helps to reward myself by having a little fun on the way. It can be as simple as buying a new book on nutrition to see what I like about it, or a couple of new workout clothes for working out. The magic isn’t in the rewards, but in how much you enjoy the reward itself. Get your favorite snack to snack on every time you workout, or maybe you don’t need a whole new workout outfit or new book. Try to have a little fun with it, and make sure you’re doing something to give yourself a reward. Work up a sweat Working out is about more than getting stronger. It’s about feeling better.