Addressing the elephant in the room: making exercise a habit is no easy task. But it is certainly doable if you are willing to commit to working on it. Many people think that exercise is something that they have to force themselves to do, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. If you make it a habit, you will find that your body becomes conditioned to respond favorably to activity and that you will be more inclined to stick with your program over time. Here are some simple ways to make exercise a habit:
- Find a routine that works for you. What works for one person may not work for another, so find what works best for you and stick with it. There are many different types of routines out there, so find one that fits your personal needs and preferences.
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Make sure you have enough motivation. Exercise can be really tough when it feels like we are fighting an uphill battle, but if we have the right motivation behind us, we will be more likely to succeed. Some good motivators can include setting goals for yourself (such as losing weight or feeling better overall), rewarding yourself after you complete a workout (whether that is with a treat or just taking some time off from work), or joining a supportive group of friends who also enjoy fitness activities.
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Don’t beat yourself up if you fall short sometimes. Everyone falls short from time to time, even the fittest athletes out there! Just keep going and try not to let those setbacks prevent you from reaching your ultimate goal of becoming more active overall. Remember, consistency is key!
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Be realistic about how much time you can actually devote each day to exercise and set realistic expectations for yourself. If exercising takes up 30 minutes of each day, don’t expect yourself to be able to fit in an hour-long workout every day – start small and gradually increase the amount of time spent exercising as tolerated by your body over time. And always remember: if something feels too hard or uncomfortable, stop immediately and take a break! Exercising should never feel like torture!
By following these simple tips, we can all attempt to make exercise a regular part of our lives – whether we are looking to lose weight or simply feel better overall – and create those healthy habits that will last long into the future!
