Motivation will only get you so far! The key to making working out a regular part of your life is to create a routine and make it a habit. Here, we give you a few tips that might help get you on your way to achieving your health and fitness goals!
1. Be realistic
Any routine that you can stick to long term is going to provide the best results! Therefore, you need to be realistic from the outset. If you are a full time working parent, working out for and hour 5 times a week is probably not going to be maintainable. But maybe 3 workouts a week and some family outdoor activity would be!
Likewise, if you're new to fitness, starting off with a goal to workout every morning before work is maybe not the most realistic plan. Why not start off with 2 or 3 mornings and increase from there as you feel you want to?
Setting a realistic and achievable plan is more likely to leave you feeling accomplished, positive and looking forward to your sessions!
2. Schedule your workouts
If working out is important to you, there is absolutely no reason why you shouldn't treat it like any other appointment in your life! Block out time for your workouts to your weekly diary so they are automatically part of your week.
Think of it as like having an important appointment with yourself. Having that little bit of time blocked out just for you will likely become something you look forward to! You're also less likely to skip your workout if it's locked into your diary - no more 'I just don't have the time' excuses!
3. Get your gear out the night before
Or if you workout during or after work, pack your bag. If your gear is ready, you've set the intention. The plan has been made. All you need to do now, is put it on and go...Maybe after a coffee! We all know, half the battle is getting started - get out there and you're already winning!
4. Don't rely on motivation
It's a myth. No-one is motivated all the time. No-one. Creating a sustainable habit is KEY! The people you see working out regularly do so because they have created a routine and it is part of who they are. Just like getting up and brushing your teeth in the morning! Everybody starts somewhere, we just have to start, then keep showing up for ourselves.
5. Find something you like
Fitness and movement looks different on everyone! Finding something you genuinely enjoy will make exercise something you look forward to and help create that routine. If you love group classes, do that! Enjoy running or cycling outdoors? Get out there! Love the feeling of lifting heavy stuff? Come and play at Four Peak Fitness! Walk with friends, try a new sport, swim, box....The list is endless and there is no wrong answer!!!
If you're struggling to create that exercise habit, don't get down on yourself. Celebrate the wins! Getting one workout in is better than none at all, life happens and sometimes other things take priority - and that's ok!
If you would like help getting into a routine or just don't know where to start, we are here to help! Our team has a wide range of experience and would love to help you with your health and fitness goals. Whether that is with a new programme, personal training sessions, group fitness classes or a mixture of them all!
