Exercise and fitness are great for both your body and mind—they reduce stress, lower health risks, and help clear your head. But with busy schedules, it’s easy to overlook your fitness routine. We’ve gathered some simple tips to help you stay committed and make fitness a regular part of your life.
Choose an Exercise Style to Suit You
Fitness isn’t one-size-fits-all. A personal trainer friend in Caroline Springs says many people quit before reaching their goals because they get bored with a routine that doesn’t suit them. You might need to try different options to find what works for you. Some swear by weightlifting, others love yoga, and some find their passion in dance. The key is to keep moving and enjoy it, so you’re more likely to stick with it.
Find A Way to Stay Accountable
Feeling accountable to someone other than yourself can be just the motivation that you need to drag yourself out of bed for an early morning gym session or skip work drinks to head to a Zumba class. You might partner up with a workup buddy, or book sessions with a personal trainer. Alternatively, there are apps available that allow you to set goals and remind you when you are due to exercise.
Don’t Set Unrealistic Goals
Whether you want to shed some excess kilos, tone your arms or give your fitness a boost, it won’t happen overnight. Too many people want instant results and get discouraged when they don’t see a visible change in the first week or month.
One of the challenges is that we are inundated with television programs that show intensive weight loss programs with teams of personal trainers and dieticians, and no job or routine to keep up.Remember, it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Those who ease into a sustainable program are more likely to see long-term success than those chasing quick results. Start with one or two workouts a week and gradually build from there.
Track Your Progress
Although you can’t expect changes overnight, it is worth tracking your progress. Weight loss isn’t generally the best measure as it fails to account for the muscle gain that you experience when sticking to a consistent exercise program. Instead, take your chest, bicep, waist, hip and thigh measurements to compare any changes. You can purchase a body fat caliper if you are really keen, but it isn’t essential. A before and after photo is just as effective. You should also track your workouts so you can see yourself becoming faster and stronger.
Have a Back-Up Plan
If you decide that your chosen exercise is running through the park, but it rains all week, have a backup plan. Whether you pay for a few casual sessions so you can jog on the treadmill, or integrate a couple of home workout sessions, having a backup plan will help you keep your fitness program on track.
Make exercise one of your regular habits, and soon it will be second nature.
