If maintaining a workout habit was easy, we’d all be really fit. But there are tricks to making it less difficult...
If maintaining a workout habit was easy, we’d all be really fit. But there are tricks to making it less difficult...
It’s hard starting on an exercise routine, and even harder keeping to it, whether because it’s boring or requires too much commitment. But just because it’s difficult doesn’t mean it should be ditched – after all, exercise keeps us healthy and looking good. So what are the best ways to keep us on the treadmill or yoga mat when the going gets tough?
Eye on the prize
The first step to sticking to the plan is simply having a goal – whether it’s to look good or improve your overall fitness, having something to work towards is a powerful motivator. “It may be to fit into a wedding dress or overcome a degenerative disease, but one has to have an objective in mind,” says Aldrin Ho, Principal Specialist of Ziklag Fitness. Try making a vision board with your favourite #fitspo pictures and quotes – having visual cues helps you maintain focus and reinforces your intentions.
Once you’ve identified your goal, find out how you can achieve it. “It’s important to formulate an action plan on what needs to be done in order to reach that goal and act on it,” shares Aldrin, who’s also a personal trainer. This involves making necessary arrangements such as researching various exercise routines available, deciding on one that’s suitable for you, and finding a studio that meets your needs. A reshuffle of your schedule is inevitable, and if you’re serious about adopting a healthy lifestyle, you’ll need to drop unhealthy habits like smoking and adopt a nutritious and balanced diet.
While having a goal is crucial, it’s also important to be realistic – which means knowing your physical limits and accepting them. “Goals need to be achievable in order to have positive reinforcement,” explains Aldrin. It’s easy to get discouraged when physical changes don’t come about as fast as we’d like, but pay attention to consistency instead of obsessing over results and you’ll find that that will take you further in the long run.
“Whether it’s to look good or improve your fitness, having something to work towards is a powerful motivator...”
Stick to it
While it can take four to six weeks to notice a visible difference, you’ll likely experience positive mental and emotional changes within the first three weeks, which in itself may be enough to motivate you to stay on the grind.
Keep at it for another week, and your chances of hitting your fitness goals will significantly increase. “In order to have a healthy lifestyle as a long-term habit, a person will need to stick to her exercise regime for at least a month in order to get into it,” says Aldrin.
If you can afford it, Aldrin suggests engaging a personal trainer or coach to help you create a reasonably achievable plan, as this will help you reach your health or weight loss goals more efficiently. A trainer will not only ensure that you exercise according to a programme tailored to your fitness level and body type, but will also hold you accountable to your goals and motivate you to not give up. They will also give you practical health and fitness tips and add variety to your workout, which lessens the odds of you getting sick of your routine.
Go social
Spend more time on Instagram than on the treadmill? Make social media work for you. It doesn’t matter if you have five or 5,000 followers – announcing your workout plan on Facebook will help you keep your word. Having words of encouragement sent your way might be the little something extra you need to motivate you to head to the gym instead of the mall.
You can also take it a notch up by hitting the gym or pounding the pavement with a pal. “[Going with a friend] is the path of least resistance. Usually, a person will join friends to participate in an activity, [especially] if they are newbies,” says Aldrin. A study in 2016 by the University of Aberdeen showed that you train harder and longer with a workout partner, so you might as well make the most of this win-win situation.
If you’re having trouble keeping to an exercise routine, follow these pointers and you could be well on your way to hitting your goals. Just remember to always do it for yourself and the person you want to be – who, in the not too distant future, is fitter, stronger and faster.
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