3 Ways to Make Exercise Plans Easier
By Genevieve Cunningham
Even though we all know the importance of exercise in our lives, we often make excuses for why we can't follow through with our routine. We don't have time. We don't have money. We don't have the energy. Sometimes, we've simply made the road to exercise too difficult. We haven't taken the time to save our money, or we didn't make sleep a priority. Luckily, these are all things that we can change in order to keep exercise in our lives and improve our health. If you're having a hard time maintaining your exercise routine, take a look at these tips to make your plans a little easier.
Create a Schedule
The simpler the schedule, the easier it is to get the job done. Do you pass the gym on your way home from work? Pack a bag and head straight there. Do you have zero time after work and need to get in a workout earlier? Take your clothes to the office and do a yoga routine at lunch time. When you're determined, you'll find a million ways to make it happen. Be creative, flexible, and smart about your timeline, and you'll find the time you need to exercise.
Don't Overdo It
Don't plan on spending two hours at the gym -- especially if you're already pressed for time. Don't plan on seven days per week. Don't push yourself so hard that you don't have the time or energy for anything else. Just be practical about it. Plan on four days per week. Plan on an hour maximum. If you overdo it, you're going to burn yourself out. You're going to set yourself up for failure. The more practical and patient you are with the process, the easier it's going to be to make the habit stick for good.
Think Ahead
Sometimes the best way to make exercise plans is to do it way in advance. This gives you plenty of time to work around it in your schedule. Is your work trying to schedule an after hours meeting? Luckily, you already have plans on your schedule. Planning a get-together with friends? You can't do it Wednesday -- because your schedule is booked. Putting it on your schedule helps make it a priority. And making it a priority helps create an urgency for movement and fitness in your life.
Exercise should definitely be a part of our lives. If we skip it, we're also skipping the potential for major benefits to our bodies and minds. Use these tips to make the exercise process easier, and enjoy better health in your life starting today and moving into the future.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Glendale, Calif.