8 Tips For Getting Started and Making It Stick
1. Prepare
Schedule your week of exercise into your calendar like you would any other important appointments. You would not cancel with a friend or client so why should you let yourself down?
2. Commit to consistency
If you are finding your planned week of exercise too much then revise and reduce. The most important thing is to find something you can commit to and stick with. Even if you carve out 10 minutes every second day to begin that is a great starting point that can be built upon.
3. Pick exercise you can manage or that is fun
Not all exercise has to happen in the gym. With surprisingly little equipment you can get a very effective workout done without even leaving the living room. If you need the motivation of others then seek out a trainer, take up a sport or find group classes and sign up in advance. Start small and work your way up.
4. Start Slowly
It’s all about baby steps to begin. If you are getting back into exercise after a hiatus then don't feel the pressure to get back to where you used to be immediately. Exercise does not have to be falling in a heap of sweat and tears after 60 minutes of torture. If you have never exercised before then do whatever you find comfortable. Start swimming, bike somewhere or get power walking. Take the focus off the end goal and just get doing. Any exercise is good exercise.
5. Recruit family and friends
Create a little healthy competition or turn exercise into a great social catch up with friends. It will feel like so much less of a chore.
6. Buy a dog
Dogs require energy and full commitment. Your pup needs those multiple walks daily and there is no way around it!
7. Treat yourself to some nice workout gear & new music
Throwing on some bright and attractive exercise gear can make the idea of working out so much more appealing. Get some decent headphones and fill your MP3 player with all your favorite songs.
8. Don’t forget to reward yourself
Plan a monthly reward to help you stick to your workout plan. Get a massage, pedicure or treat yourself to a Saturday morning tea and book in bed. Whatever small rewards you can plan to keep motivated on days when every excuse on why you should not exercise is going through your head. Those days will happen and pushing through will give you ultimate satisfaction in the long run.