Exercise shouldn’t be something you do simply to prepare for charity 10-kilometre runs or to lose those excess pounds. For it to be effective, it must become ingrained in your daily routine, just like eating, sleeping, and having a morning shower.
Find Workouts You Look Forward To
Finding a workout you enjoy will increase your likelihood of sticking with it over time. Start by seriously considering your favorite activities, such as being in nature, social situations, sports, quiet time, or challenges. Think about the things that you get enjoyment from that you could also combine with your exercise routines. Find activities that fit one or more of your criteria and try them out.
You won’t likely continue working out if it is uncomfortable or makes you feel awkward or incompetent. Avoid picking sports like running or weightlifting at the gym just because you believe that’s what you should do. Choose activities instead that suit your preferences, skills, and lifestyle.
Be Compassionate Towards Yourself
According to research, self-compassion boosts your chances of success in any effort. Therefore, don’t criticize your appearance, level of fitness right now, or purported lack of willpower. You will become less motivated as a result. Consider your past errors and unwise decisions as chances to improve and advance instead of pitfalls in your skill level or willpower.
Create a Reward System
Create a small incentive system to use to motivate yourself on days when it is lacking. Consider little prizes for yourself, such as a 10-minute neck massage or an episode of your preferred Netflix series. Use them only if you stay within your daily schedule. Even when your bed feels exceptionally comfortable, these modest rewards may be just what you need to motivate yourself to leave the house.
Set Smaller Goals
Huge, outcome-focused objectives like dropping 20 pounds, developing six-pack abs, or finishing a marathon are frequently established by people. These can be inspiring, but they don’t give you an idea of what steps to take now and over the next few days and weeks to achieve them. Setting modest “process objectives” might help you stay motivated, avoid getting bored, and continue to advance steadily. Consider enlisting the aid of a competent personal trainer if you’re unclear on how to safely raise the intensity of your exercise and establish reasonable process goals.
Don’t Use the All or Nothing Method
To enjoy exercise’s mental and emotional benefits, you don’t have to push yourself to undertake tedious or painful things you detest for hours on end. Some exercise is better than doing nothing at all. In fact, even a slight increase in physical activity during a week has been proven to have positive effects on your mental and emotional well-being.
Key Takeaways
It’s simple to convince yourself not to exercise. Excuses are easy to find, even when you have the best intentions to work out. Your exercise program can stay on track with the proper mindset and a few tips. Personal trainers like those at VIP Fitness can also help you with your fitness goals and how to stick with them so you see long-term results.