The real secret to getting a fitter body is simply through Consistency. The best way to stick to a fitness routine is by making exercise a habit. To help you get started, I have five tips that I feel will get you working out on a regular basis while not letting exercise consume your life.
5 Tips to Stick With a Fitness Routine
Let Your Energy Guide You
This is easily one of the more practical tips I feel I’ve come across to help me stick to my daily routines. The premise is pretty simple – Only workout when you can be the most engaged with a routine. If there’s a certain time of day when you regularly run out of steam, note that this is NOT when you’ll be wanting to pencil in some exercise time. Schedule a workout in place of something else that normally would vie for your attention. Perhaps give up 30 minutes of TV, for example.
Know Your Goals
When we’re inspired to live and eat healthier no goal will ever seem out of reach. However, there is a very big difference between having long-term goals and short-term goals. Losing 5-10 pounds in a month or two is doable. This usually falls in line with a long-term goal of having a leaner body. The good thing about this kind of time frame is it’s a realistic one. When the alarm clock goes off each morning our goals short-term and long-term should play off of each other. Getting a leaner physique means eating cleaner and sweating more. But these changes happen over time. They can’t be squeezed into a single weekend with the hope of getting the results you want.
Be a Little Selfish
Carve out time that is just for your fitness. Learn to say no when others are asking of this time. You need to be a little selfish to succeed in doing what is truly best for you!
Keep Motivated
Think of Motivation like being a glass of water. You’ll find there are times when it’s full to the top, or sometimes when it’s almost down to the last drop. If you find you need a little bit of help in keeping your glass full every now and then there are ways to help keep yourself motivated to exercise. My favorite method is using photos of who I recognize as great examples of what fit looks like (to me) on film or in magazines. Understand, though, you’re using their image as a guide to help better yourself. You are you. Enjoy what you achieve because no one can ever take that away from you.
Share Your Goals with Others
Pick important people in your life to serve as your accountability partners. Select people who you know will be the most supportive to all of your endeavors…and that’s what you need the most to keep moving strong. What other ideas do you have? Share in a comment.