No one can argue the fact that exercise is good for your mind, body and spirit. Daily activity makes us feel better about the way we look, gives us a burst of energy, and helps ward off many chronic conditions later in life.
Sure, we know exercise is beneficial, but who has time to drive to the gym or do laps around the neighborhood every day?
Fitting exercise into your daily schedule isn’t about finding more hours in the day; but about learning to prioritize your activities so a workout becomes a core part of your daily habit. We have five easy steps that will put you on the road to a regular fitness program and a healthier lifestyle overall.
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Make a 30-Day Commitment
Habits do not develop overnight; it generally takes at least 30 days of consistent behavior to convert good intentions into a full-fledged habit.
When you begin your workout program, commit to 30 days of exercise, even if some of the days involve light, 20-minute walks around your neighborhood, interspersed with longer, more intense workouts the other days of the week.
After one full month of consistent exercise, your body will begin to reap the advantages with more energy, better sleep and looser jeans. The program will also be officially incorporated into your daily routine, which will make it easier to stick with the workouts over the long term.
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Write it on Your Calendar
You write down important meetings, school functions and coffee dates with friends. Why are your workouts not included on your daily agenda?
First, set a specific time each day to do your exercise. It might be first thing in the morning, over your lunch hour or right after work. Next, write the activity down in your planner, or enter it into your computer, just like you would any other important appointment. You can even set it up to send yourself daily reminders through your computer or phone texting. This way, you are more likely to treat your workout program like the essential part of your routine that it is, rather than something you do at the end of the day – when you can find the time.
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Vary Your Activity
Anyone will get bored doing the exact same routine day after day, which is why a lot of exercise programs end before they really get started. If you join a gym, sign up for an aerobics class two or three times a week, and then alternate your class with time on the treadmill or a session in the weight room.
If you don’t have a gym membership, spend one day walking your dog and the next bicycling around your neighborhood.
Exercise isn’t about a regimented routine; it is more about getting out and having fun with physical activity. If you keep your sessions fun and interesting, you will be more likely to look forward to your workouts every day.
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Chart Your Progress
Many people like to work out with a purpose, which can be accomplished by tracking the progress you make during your exercise program. You might chart the number of steps or miles you walk, the size weights you use, or the length of time you exercised. Keep your results in a small notebook so you have a visual picture of how far you have come.
Track other benchmarks for progress as well, such as a stellar report from your next physical, an abundance of energy throughout the day, or the fact that you can now fit into those jeans that have been hiding in the back of your closet.
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Find a Buddy
While it may be easy to take a day off when you are working out alone, it is much harder to let down a buddy on days when you aren’t feeling as motivated. There are plenty of ways to incorporate accountability into your workout habit, including exercising with a spouse or friend, signing up for a class or hiring the services of a personal trainer.
In addition to the accountability factor, you may find the social element of buddy workouts makes your exercise program much more fun. If you like your sessions, you will be more likely to make it to the next one.
Exercise is an essential component to a healthy lifestyle, particularly when it is done consistently and over the long term. By making exercise a habit, you are more likely to develop a routine that you can enjoy for years, both in the sheer pleasure of physical activity and the benefits that it provides.
