Five Ways To Create An Exercise Habit Which Lasts
The five tips I am about to share with have the ability to transform your life and fitness.
After spending the last decade working with clients in the gym, I’ve seen it all.
The hardcore gym-junkies. The cardio-bunnies. The “I only do classes” group.
And I’ve worked with people who’ve never set foot inside a gym before.
The goal of this article is to provide you five simple ways to create healthy and sustainable exercise habits which can become an integral part of your life.
Over the years, I have seen countless people try (unsuccessfully) to make exercise an important part of their life.
It isn’t due to lack of trying.
The reason why so many people fail is because they try to change too much, too soon.
They try to change everything at once and attempt to flip their world upside down.
That doesn’t work.
I love the fact you are enthusiastic and open to making some changes to your life — but before you do anything radical, please read on.
Below are five powerful ways which can help make exercise a pivotal (and permanent) fixture in your life.
1. Start small.
This is something which almost everyone overlooks.
Not you, not this time.
I want you to start by picking something which you feel is "too easy".
Don’t take on too much.
What we want to do here is build rapid momentum.
Begin with one or two training sessions a week, instead of four or five.
That way you actually attend your sessions and do them regularly.
By doing so, you'll start getting some quick wins on the board and build confidence quickly.
2. Keep it simple.
This is one of the biggest killers to your exercise routine - complicating things.
Making things which are simple, complex.
Over-thinking and over-analysing every small detail are two common behaviours.
Paralysis by analysis is the state of over-analyzing (or over-thinking) a situation so that a decision or action is never taken, in effect paralyzing the outcome.
Get a custom-made (just for you) program, make it a priority and follow it to a tee.
Don't skip exercises or try to adjust anything. Simply follow the program as prescribed.
Small progressions week on week will see you make amazing progress!
3. Set your training as an appointment.
I hear people complain all the time about how they didn't get to the gym or they ‘ran out of time’.
In life, we make time for what’s important.
If that’s your health and fitness, you have to demonstrate this.
Talking about becoming fit and healthy — but not doing anything about it — won’t change your situation.
You never miss an appointment or meeting at work, so start treating your own personal health with the same level of importance.
Set a regular day and time, put it in your calendar/schedule and stick to it.
Once it’s in the diary, it’s locked in!
Guard it closely and protect that time.
4. Record your results.
Making progress in the gym feels amazing!
Seeing the numbers go up on your program and looking back at how far you've come is a great way to keep yourself motivated.
Imagine doing this for 6 months and then seeing all of your victories and personal bests.
Looking back to see that you now warm-up with weights which were previously your “heavy weights”.
That feeling never gets dull or boring!
You'll not only feel incredibly proud of your efforts, but your body will look dramatically different, too.
5. Have someone hold you accountable.
Tell a friend, co-worker, partner, spouse or hire a coach.
Have someone in your corner who is aware of your goals and what you’re trying to accomplish.
What you'll find is that people will more often than not, support your goals and cheer you on towards them.
You need someone to not only pat you on the back and encourage you when you do well.
But someone who is also firm and fair to tell you what you need to hear.
You don’t want someone is a cheerleader, and you don’t want a complete asshole.
You need someone who can play both roles.
This person needs to be supportive and encouraging, while also being upfront and honest with you.
That is how you will know if you are on the right track or perhaps need a little reality check and to be pulled back in line.
There you have it.
Five quick and easy tips to put into action as of right now.
Don’t delay!
I hope this tips can help make an impact for you or someone you know.
If this message resonated with you, I’d love to hear from you. Drop me a comment below!