3 Tips for Making the Exercise Habit Stick
By Genevieve Cunningham
Maintaining a healthy exercise routine is one of the best things that you can do for your overall health. It can help keep your weight under control, boost muscle strength, and even improve your moods. And those are only the obvious benefits. There are many other benefits that you may not notice, but are absolutely happening in your body. But, the exercise habit is sometimes a tough one to make stick. If you would like to make exercise a regular routine in your life, check out these tips for making it a habit that you can keep up with for good.
Don’t Overdo It
Starting out too big is one of the biggest mistakes. If you’ve been exercising none or very little, don’t jump in and start with too much. You’ll only make yourself sore and unlikely to keep it up. Instead, start slowly. Walk or swim instead of running miles. Try a beginner’s yoga class instead of that hardcore kickboxing. You can always work up to tougher workouts, but starting out with too much too fast is a surefire way to burst your own motivation bubble.
Get Workout Friends
Friends help to hold you accountable, and you can do the same for them. If you can’t keep your workout habit going, find some buddies that will keep you on your toes. Just make sure that these buddies have your best interests at heart. If your exercise friends only want to walk slowly and gossip, you might need a new group of gym buddies. Find like-minded individuals that will push you and keep you moving forward toward your goals.
Set a Timeline
The most success that I’ve ever had with making exercise stick is when I was doing a program that had an end in sight. It was 12 weeks long, and then I was free to move on to another workout. Putting some sort of timeline on your workout makes it seem more possible. It tricks your mind into thinking … "OK, just eight more weeks and then I’m done." At the end of your session, you’ll feel so amazing and see so many benefits that you’ll be more likely to continue on your fitness path.
Exercise routines can be tough, but you can absolutely do it! Use motivation techniques that work for you. Find ways to keep yourself moving and your eye on the prize. With some patience and dedication, your workouts will be a part of who you are, and your health will be better than ever as a result.