You already know how beneficial exercise can be. It can help you lose weight, gain energy, control certain health conditions, and also reduce stress and anxiety. So, isn’t it time for you to consider making exercise a habit? A habit is something we do without thinking about it, an automatic action we take. Creating new habits, particularly for exercise, can improve your life now and also for the future. If you’re ready to make exercise a habit, here are seven best steps to get you going.
- Determine Your Motivation
One of the best ways to develop exercise habits that will last is to determine your motivation. When you identify a purpose for your exercise, you’re more likely to be consistent and determined. Motivations vary widely for people beginning to exercise. They can range from getting healthy to preparing for a marathon. Whatever your purpose, write it down and refer to it often. You can also post photos of something that reminds you of your purpose. If you want to get back to a certain weight, post a photo of yourself back when you weighed the perfect amount. If you want to go on long hikes, post up photos of nature trails.
- Identify What You Enjoy Doing
Often, when people think of exercising, they think of long hours at the gym or boring runs on a treadmill. Don’t limit your thinking to this old-school mindset. Find those exercises that will help you achieve your purpose and also keep you interested.
Consider what you enjoy doing. Do you love to dance? Then look for exercises that include dancing, such as Zumba. Love the water? Consider swimming, paddle boarding, or kayaking. Studies show that if you enjoy the exercise you are doing, you will stick to it longer
- Create a Workout Plan
Creating a workout plan will focus your priorities and will limit your perceived choices. In the beginning, give your body time to adjust. You don’t want to get overwhelmed or injured, so start out small. Consider what you will do each day to start off with. What type of exercise and for how long? Indicate when you will add on more. This could be in two weeks or in a month. Build your momentum slowly.
- Schedule Exercise
Now that you’ve identified your purpose and decided on a workout plan, it’s time to schedule it. Show that your exercise is a priority by adding workout times to your calendar, just like you would meetings or doctor’s appointments. It’s important to determine when you’re more likely to stick to your workouts – morning, noon, or evening. Figure out what is best for you personally, and what will fit into your work and family schedules.
- Prepare for Each Exercise
If you exercise early in the morning, set out your workout clothes the night before. This way, you won’t waste time running around looking for your socks or goggles. If you work out during the day, create a checklist for your work out bag and be sure you have everything included before leaving the house.
Where will you be exercising? If working out at home, be sure to add a carbon monoxide detector for safety and schedule regular checks to be sure it’s working. The last thing you want to worry about is whether the air you’re breathing as you workout is safe or not. If exercising outdoors, make sure you have your water bottle and bug repellant.
- Be Consistent
In order to make exercising a habit, it has to be done consistently. Even if you feel tired one day, get out there and do what you can. Don’t allow excuses to fill your head. Besides, most of the time, the exercise will renew your energy and make you feel better. If you’re traveling one week, modify the exercises you do and stay with it.
Instead of scheduling a full day of rest, create a day for a less intense workout, such as a hike in nature or a gentle yoga class. Consistently doing something each day will help you develop your exercise habits sooner.
- Establish Accountability
Finally, establish a method of accountability. Find a partner to exercise with, or consider hiring a coach or personal trainer. There are also online groups where you can post updates. Other options include tracking your progress with fitness apps or keeping a log of your activities. Many people are motivated by checklists or journaling, so give those a try as well. It’s one thing to make time for exercise; it’s another to develop exercise habits that will last. Take these seven steps to create those habits, and soon they will become a part of your everyday life.
