Sticking to an exercise program isn't easy. Even the best-laid plans often get derailed by life. (Work, family, illnesses, bad hair days.) We can't control everything, but we sometimes make exercise harder than it has to be, putting obstacles in our own paths without even realizing it. We come home after a long day of sitting in a chair to de-stress by sitting in another chair. Sometimes finding the motivation to take a walk or hit the gym can be as much of a challenge as the workout itself!
Sure, everyone says to "make time for what's important to you," but oversimplification doesn't make the struggle any easier.
If you're struggling with a sedentary lifestyle, you're not alone. We all know we should get moving, but we stumble and fall back into old habits or never get the traction we need. This is completely normal, so don't be too hard on yourself! Very few people spring out of bed one day and say "I'm going to change my behavior for the better for the rest of my life," do it, and never look back. In the real world things are different. So how do we turn our hit-and-miss exercise schedule into an almost-daily habit? Here are a few tips to help you get going!
Seven Tips for Starting and Sticking with a Workout Routine.
- Don't be so hard on yourself. We're often our own biggest hurdle. Striving for a goal is great; striving for perfection is unhealthy. Giving yourself unrealistic or unattainable goals is detrimental to your mental and your physical health. Often times we expect too much from ourselves and when we don't live up to the expectations we've set for ourselves, that's where things begins to fall apart. We start something with good intentions, stumble, get frustrated, and give up. Be nice to yourself—stumbles and failures are going to happen, no one's perfect.
- Just show up. Go to the gym, class, or the park. Once you’re there, it’s hard to say no. 98% of life is showing up!
- Start slowly. The first time I started working out, I decided to exercise daily for an hour. Good plan, right? Well, starting from zero to every day worked well for a while, but when I had to miss a day because I worked late, was sick, or my schedule changed, I felt terrible. Eventually I gave up, and beat myself up over it until I could get motivated to start again. Don't make the same mistake—if you're having trouble with every day, start with twice a week, or once. Whatever it is, start with something you can definitely do effortlessly.
- Find what works for YOU. A lot of people will tell you to "just get up and do it," which is easy when that person A: isn't you, and B: is sitting behind a keyboard! Minimizing and oversimplifying the challenge doesn't help, and while hearing what worked for others can help you figure out things to try, it's almost never going to be exactly what works for you. Look for your own combination of tools, tips, techniques, and advice that will support you and your health and fitness goals. Accept advice, sure, but remember you're in this for you—no one else, and you're the only one who'll know what really works for you.
- Don't exercise to "fix" a part of your body: Working out because you "hate" your body is the worst thing you can do. Work out because you love your body! Exercise makes you feel good—it celebrates your body, makes you feel empowered and sends a rush of feel-good endorphins through your body. Working out will boost your energy, improve your health and can change your mood for the better. Celebrate your body; don't try to "fix" it.
- Join Communities that Build Positive Habits. Don't get so caught up in tracking steps walked that you miss out on how powerful a community, a workout buddy, or family and friends, rooting for us can be. It can make all the difference! Run while your daughter rides her bike. Walk with your spouse. Form an exercise group with your friends. Motivation, inspiration, determination and conversation happen when you surround yourself with people who think positive and live large!
- Whatever You Do, Make It Fun. Enjoy yourself. Choose something rewarding enough to make you feel good about doing it. Forcing yourself into a workout that you hate definitely won't encourage you to keep working out. Not everyone likes running, that's OK, try walking or cycling. If you hate bootcamp classes, try yoga or weight training. If something's not working, try something else. Keep going until you find something that clicks, but absolutely do not keep going to a class or attempting a workout you don't like. Challenges are much easier to overcome if you're having a good time!
Remember, it’s never too late to be that healthy person you have always wanted to be. Be patient with yourself darling. Keep going!
