How to increase your commitment to an exercise routine?
Photo by Julia Larson
It can be hard to follow a regular exercise routine when balancing family, friends, work, and activities in your life. Even if you are well-intentioned, you may find after a long day of work, you are too tired, and on the weekends, you might want to rest. To succeed in your exercise routine, you must be dedicated and committed. Here are five ways to increase your commitment to an exercise routine:
Pick what you enjoy
If your exercise routine makes you feel miserable, there are low chances that you will want to do the routine consistently. If you want a regular exercise routine, pick what you love. If you do not enjoy the workout routine, it won’t be easy to see the results you were hoping for. Hit that rock-climbing wall, attempt new meditation classes, or even if it is running. Choosing an exercise you enjoy is half the battle to increasing the commitment to exercise routines.
Schedule it in your calendar
Many individuals feel too busy to have an exercise routine and be committed to it. Scheduling the workout into your calendar will prevent you from feeling too busy to work out. Treat your exercise routine as a crucial business meeting. Working out concerns your health; thus, you should always consider it a top priority, just like the other aspects of your life. Moreover, exercising will bring various health benefits to your body, such as energy boost, mental clarity, muscle strength and circulation, and confidence.
The workout time in your schedule should be regular and at a specific time. Mornings are more convenient for an exercise routine as no one will plan a meeting very early in the morning, but if mornings are hectic, you can put it at a more convenient time.
Prepare all you will need
For individuals who regularly find themselves unprepared for the gym, try planning ahead of time to prevent any logistical problems. Pack everything you need for a successful workout session in your gym bag the day before. You will require all the things during and after the session, such as a water bottle, deodorant, towel, dry shampoo, protein bar, and hair ties. This will help you avoid excuses for failing to follow your workout routine.
Check out this beginner’s guide to the gym: https://barbend.com/
Reward yourself
When you have been exercising for long hours, rewarding yourself is a great method to keep you motivated. You can reward yourself by buying new gear. Whether it is that GPS watch you have wanted, new running shoes, or even simply loading new music into your iPod, this can spark your motivation to follow your workout routine.
Most individuals who work out regularly usually do so due to the rewards the exercise brings to their lives. The long-term rewards of exercising include a natural and healthy lifestyle, better sleep, more energy, and self-confidence. However, the long-term rewards may fail to keep you motivated to follow your routine. Thus, you must have immediate rewards when you reach a fitness goal or complete a workout to ensure you stay motivated. The immediate rewards will keep you looking forward to the next exercising session. Immediate rewards include watching your favorite show, dinner at your favorite restaurant, or a pedicure. You can maintain a consistent routine if you build a positive relationship with your workout routine.
Set up a goal
Having a goal and achieving it will help motivate you to be committed to your workout. When you set the goal, make it fun and be accountable for it. If you enjoy rock climbing, you can set a target to summit a mountain. At first, begin with a small goal that is easy to achieve. This will motivate you and keep your spirits high. A goal will also give you something to anticipate at the end of your workout period or after an allocated time.
Final thoughts
To improve your commitment to an exercise routine, stop picturing yourself as a spectator and begin picturing yourself as an athlete. Schedule it on your calendar, have a goal, prepare yourself early, choose something you enjoy, and have fun with the exercise. With these tips, you will rapidly realize the benefits of working out, such as more energy, better health, and even more happiness.