Six Tips for Sticking with It
May 3rd, 2011When it comes to exercise, people either love it or hate it. Very few folks settle in the middle ground. For the haters, getting started with a fitness regimen is hard enough; sticking with it is even tougher. In order to smooth that path, here are six helpful tips:
1. Set easy-to-achieve goals.
Everyone needs motivation to keep on keeping on. Seeing the results of your efforts is the ultimate reward. Keep it simple, though. Even baby steps provide tangible feats of accomplishment and markers of progress. If you are trying to lose weight, set a target of one pound a week. It may not seem like much, but losing weight slowly is the healthiest way to go in terms of keeping it off. Hitting that mark each week will feel good; surpassing it will feel great.
If you are more in it for fitness, you can set your goals using resistance levels and length of workout. Again, set small increments of achievement so that you are sure to hit your target.
2. Choose something enjoyable.
Exercise needn’t be excruciating physically or mentally. Picking a fun activity as your regimen of choice is another surefire way to help you stick with it. Sign up for a basketball or racquetball league, swim, hike, or bike outdoors, do circuit training. Whatever it is that inspires you – be it competition, nature, or variety – follow that lead.
3. Recruit an exercise buddy.
With a compatriot, accountability ensures that you don’t slack off, plus you can commiserate and celebrate with someone who understands and shares in the experience.
4. Build it into your schedule.
It’s so easy to avoid things you don’t want to do and exercise is often on that list. By setting aside the time in your schedule on a regular basis, you not only carve out a window of opportunity, but you also help your body develop the habit of exercising. Quite possibly, you’ll work your way into an almost involuntary response, your system switching itself into go mode during those schedule workout slots.
5. Be more physical.
Adding little bits of exertion into your daily life is an excellent way to keep your metabolism on its toes. Park in the back of the lot; take the stairs; bike to the Post Office or bank. Wherever you can add in more physicality, do it!
6. Listen to your inner guidance.
When you start to feel a slump or wall in your program, step back and really look at it. Do you need some extra inspiration? Maybe buy some new sneakers or make a new playlist to listen to while working out. Is your body hitting a plateau? Try taking a few days off or switching up your routine to shake your system up. Are your muscles or joints aching in a not-good way? Again, take a few days off to let your body recover, then ease back into your program.
Committing to be healthier through exercise is one of the most important and rewarding decisions you will ever make. Yes, it’s hard work, but you’re worth it.