Trying to fit regular exercise routines into our daily lives is difficult at best. After a long day at work, it’s often easier to listen to your inner voice calling for a pizza and a night with Netflix rather than heading to the gym.
Exercise should never be a chore. Instead, it should be a fun part of your day. These are ideas that have worked for me.
Schedule your workouts
Have you ever noticed it’s difficult ignoring things on your calendar? Your desktop, phone, even your watch will beep and buzz, trying to keep you on schedule. Add your favorite workout classes onto your schedule. Even if you just have a date with the gym, feed it into your daily routine. Then stick with it when you get your notifications.
Make it a habit
Instead of exercising once or twice per week, do something every day. For example, make 4 to 5 o’clock your time to play. Then do something different each day. Meet your husband for a walk. Play basketball with the kids. Take a yoga class in the park.
Forget about weight loss
When you concentrate on exercising to lose a few pounds, the process becomes mundane and overwhelming. But when you put your focus on having fun, you find new things to add to your routine. Join classes to learn something new. Get out and play to have fun.
Do a 30 day challenge
A quick search online will give you all kinds of ideas. Try 30 days of hiking, biking, or rock climbing. Add in 30 day challenges for healthier eating, and you’ll really see the difference in just one month.
Join an online group
One of the best motivators is to hold yourself accountable and workout with others. Thanks to the internet, you can join groups anywhere in the world. You’ll find any kind of exercise routine, and it will help you track goals and results in the process.
Get new clothes
Sometimes a new outfit is just what you need to stick to a routine. And the good news is you don’t have to spend a lot of money finding something that makes you look and feel terrific. Get something in a motivating color. And as your weight adjusts, update your look. It will make you feel better and help you say “yes” to your new habits.