The Secret to a Fitness Routine That Sticks

February 22, 2010
18 comments
By chelsea
In Fitness , Mastering the Mind
Pessimists and procrastinators, listen up! There is only one way to stick to an exercise routine. What is it? Make it a routine! Exercise should have a comfortable, well-worn-in niche in your daily regimen. Of course, you’ll be upgrading the particulars every few weeks. (Stick to the same old stuff, and you’ll probably plateau in a month’s time.) The point is, you need to work out automatically, right on schedule, without making excuses. Once exercise becomes a permanent wedge in your schedule, you’ll reach your goals in record time. Here are five ways to make your exercise routine unshakable:

1. Find the right program for you. That's one that truly works with your lifestyle and entails a realistic time commitment. Here are a few fun exercise ideas to consider.

2. Literally block time out on your calendar. If you’re going to work out from 8–8:45 a.m., write it down in your planner and treat it as an inflexible appointment. If you buy yourself wiggle room or spend too much time planning, you’ll squander away all 45 minutes without even getting to the actual workout (tricky, you!). Be smart and start on the dot.

3. Make this appointment a priority. If you don’t, you’ll start thinking about everything else you need to do during that 45-minute time frame. Be honest: you can spare 45 minutes a day for long-term health, can't you? Yes. So don't push exercise aside.

4. Treat every single day as critical to your success—because it is! If you set daily or weekly goals, you’ll be able to account for your progress each day, rather than seeing only the big picture. It helps to keep track in ink.

5. Tune out the little voices in your head that say “I don’t feel like it” and “I’ll do it tomorrow.” These are routine-killers! By stifling them and pushing forward, you’ll quickly condition your mind to set your new routine in stone.

Follow these steps for 30 days straight, which is all it takes your brain to forge a new habit. After that, sticking to your fitness routine will be effortless. Pressed for time? A home fitness program might be perfect for you. The IdealShape eBook was designed so that our clients have the freedom to work out when and how it works for you. Check it out. Stop breaking your dates with exercise and discover a rich, lifelong relationship with fitness—and your IdealShape!

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