As the new year roles in, exercising will be on top of many of our resolution lists. A key component of exercise success is to stick to your routine. It seems to be easier for people to maintain an exercise routine in the long term if they make it a habit and do it regularly.
Keep on reading to get some useful tips on how to stick to your new exercise programme!
Ditch the all-or-nothing attitude.
You don’t have to spend hours in a gym or force yourself into monotonous or painful activities you hate to experience. A little exercise is better than nothing. In fact, adding just modest amounts of physical activity to your weekly routine can have a profound effect on your mental and emotional health.
Be kind to yourself.
Research shows that self-compassion increases the likelihood that you’ll succeed in any given endeavor. So, don’t beat yourself up about your body, your current fitness level, or your supposed lack of willpower. All that will do is demotivate you. Instead, look at your past mistakes and unhealthy choices as opportunities to learn and grow.
Check your expectations.
You didn’t get out of shape overnight, and you’re not going to instantly transform your body either. Expecting too much, too soon only leads to frustration. Try not to be discouraged by what you can’t accomplish or how far you have to go to reach your fitness goals. Instead of obsessing over results, focus on consistency. While the improvements in mood and energy levels may happen quickly, the physical payoff will come in time.
Whatever your age or fitness level—even if you’ve never exercised a day in your life —use these steps to make exercise less intimidating and painful and more fun and instinctive.
