Exercise is one of the best habits to incorporate into your lifestyle. There’s an abundance of health benefits related to regular physical activity, ranging from a better physique to a lowered risk of heart disease, dementia, diabetes, plus many other chronic diseases.
Let’s face it, working out can be a hard habit to start for some
Often, those who begin fitness programmes will quit very quickly. Sometimes, after reaching a target weight, many choose to stop working out and return to their old lifestyle, only to lose the physique and store the fat once more.
Your mindset is the engine behind every action you take. To get your mind on board with the process of healthy exercise you have to make the whole process a fun, exciting and rewarding one.
So, how do you make sure you are able to stick to your workout habit?
That’s the challenging part. Sure, the extensive sweating and breathlessness can make you feel helpless and not want to exercise any more. But, you can actually trick your mind into getting going! Here’s how…
- Make it fun
If you don’t like exercising, there’s a big chance that you’ll feel tired and bored working out, and won’t succeed. So you need to choose a fitness programme that you will actually enjoy. Don’t hesitate to try different workout plans. Mix it up a little; ask a professional trainer to help you.
Choose the one you like the most and make your experience even more fun by doing it outdoors or turning up the music (nice and loud!). Adding fun to your workout routine makes you enjoy it more, rather than feeling obliged to do so.
- Invest in your workout outfit
Having a great set of workout clothes can increase your motivation to stick to your fitness routine. It motivates you to see yourself looking great in good, quality gear. Not only do you want to feel comfortable, you also want to avoid getting injured during your workout session.
- Make even more tweaks
So, you’re on a programme. That doesn’t mean you can’t try other forms of exercise as well. Not all workout routines are found inside the gym. Swimming, trekking, mountain climbing, cycling and other sports can be wonderful exercise options too.
- Buddy-up
They say ‘two heads are better than one’. That’s so true, especially when it comes to accountability on an exercise programme. Working out is more enjoyable when you have someone to go through ups and downs with. And by the way, ‘the more the merrier’ too!
- Progress not perfection
STOP comparing yourself to others. Doing so can be demotivating when you start wondering why you’re not progressing as fast as the next guy on the same routine.
There are so many factors to consider, not just your exercise, in trying to lose weight. So focus on yourself.
Discover why you really want to exercise. If your reason is to simply look good for others, you chance of success will be significantly lower. The reason should be intrinsic. It should be for yourself.
- Rise to the challenge
Always try to dig deeper. If you’re able to plank for 30 seconds, try to hit 40 next time. As you keep challenging yourself, you’ll start to benefit from better health and quality of life.