Let's
face it: it's not all that difficult to start a fitness
routine. After all, most of us have done it more than once. The trouble,
of course, comes with sticking with it. All too often, our initial
enthusiasm and energy wanes, we get distracted by other things going on
in our lives, or we don't think we're seeing
results quickly enough -- and we throw in the towel. Here are 10 tips
for making fitness a habit in your life.
1. Do a variety of activities you enjoy.
And
remember, there's no rule that says you have to go to a gym or buy
equipment. Having a variety of activities -- weight lifting, walking,
running,
tennis, cycling, aerobics classes -- will ensure that you can do something regardless
of the weather or time of day.
2. Commit to another person.
3. Make exercise a priority.
4. Exercise first thing in the morning.
Experts
agree that a morning schedule is best. "If you go to a gym, it should
be located between your home and work," says Klein. "Exercise, take a
shower,
and you're energized for the day."
5. Or, exercise on your way home from work.
The
next best thing to exercising first thing in the morning is to do it on
your way home from work.There aren't a lot of people who are so
motivated
that after they go home and change clothes will go back out again and
exercise.
6. Exercise even when you're "too tired."
Chances are, you'll feel better after exercising.
7. Log your activity.
Write
down the things that are important to you. It could be how much time
you exercise each day, how many steps you walked, how far you ran or
cycled,
what you weighed, etc.
8. Be aware of all the indicators of progress.
It's great when your clothes fit better and you can lift heavier weights or work out longer without getting exhausted.
But there are a slew of other progress indicators, such as:
·
Getting a good night's sleep.
·
Thinking more clearly.
·
Having more energy.
·
Realizing your muscles aren't screaming after you've helped a friend move furniture.
·
Seeing your resting heart rate drop over time.
·
Hearing your doctor congratulate you on improved cholesterol, blood pressure, bone density, triglycerides, and blood sugars.
9. Walk -- with a pedometer (or a dog).
10. Reward yourself.
Are
you telling yourself that you don't deserve a reward for something you
should be doing anyway -- or that once you can zip your jeans without
lying
on the bed, that will be reward enough? Well, honestly, how inspiring is
that?
Experts say that making behavior changes is hard, and rewards motivate.
So decide on a goal and a reward, and work toward it. You might buy
yourself a video you've wanted after you stick to your fitness plan for
one month, or buy new walking shoes when you
achieve 5,000 steps a day. Do whatever works for you.
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