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Introduction
Exercising regularly can be a challenge, but with these 10 simple tricks, you can make physical activity a part of your daily routine.
We all know that staying active is important and the benefits to our physical, mental and overall health are numerous, but turning it into a habit isn’t always easy. Whether the idea of hitting the gym gets your heart racing with excitement or dread, you can trick your mind and body into making exercise a healthy, daily habit.
In this post, you can expect to learn practical tips and tricks, such as setting measurable goals and creating rewards, to help you form your ideal exercise routine and start incorporating regular physical activity into your life. Let’s get started!
One of the most common mistakes people make when trying to establish an exercise routine is starting too big. It’s easy to get excited and set overly ambitious goals, but doing so can actually be counterproductive.
Instead of trying to run a marathon on your first day, start with something small and achievable. Maybe that means taking a 10-minute walk, or completing a 15 minute morning yoga session. Whatever it is, make sure it’s something that you can realistically incorporate into your daily routine. By starting small, you’ll build momentum and set yourself up for long-term success.
Remember, building a daily exercise habit takes time and effort. But by starting small and building upon habits, you can effortlessly incorporate exercise into your routine.
Find an Accountability Partner
Another strategy for making exercise a daily habit is to find an accountability partner. Having someone to check in with and hold you responsible can be incredibly helpful in sticking to your fitness routine. Whether it’s a friend, family member or personal trainer, choose someone who shares your fitness goals and interests. Scheduling regular workout sessions together can help you stay motivated and committed to your exercise plan. Plus, it can be a lot more fun to work out with a friend than going it alone!
Making exercise a daily habit is just one way to improve your life. Check out other small habits that can make a big difference in Daily Habits to Improve Your Life.
Create a Schedule
Once you have found an accountability partner, the next step towards making exercise a daily habit is creating a schedule that works for you. It’s important to consider your lifestyle and commitments, so that you can identify the best time of day to fit in your workouts. Whether you’re an early riser or a night owl, try to choose a consistent time that you can commit to every day.
Plan your workouts ahead of time and put them on your calendar, just like you would any other appointment or meeting. Treat exercise like a non-negotiable part of your day, and make it a priority. This will help you stay accountable and motivated, even on days when you’re feeling tired or unmotivated.
Creating a schedule can also help you avoid skipped workouts or missed appointments. When you have a set time and date for your workouts, it’s easier to plan your day around them and avoid scheduling conflicts. Plus, it can bring a sense of structure and routine to your day, which can be especially beneficial for those who struggle with consistency.
By taking the time to create a schedule that works for you, you’re setting yourself up for success in building a daily exercise habit.
Staying healthy isn’t just about working out—there are other habits you can incorporate into your routine. I’ve shared more in 15 Good Habits for a Healthier Life.
Make It Fun
To make exercise a daily habit, it’s important to enjoy the process. When you’re having fun during your workouts, it’s more likely that you’ll stick to your routine and make exercise a part of your daily life. One way to make your workouts more enjoyable is to mix them up and try new activities. For example, if you’re usually a runner, why not try a dance class or join a sports league? By exploring different types of exercise, you may find something that you truly love and look forward to each day.
Another way to make exercise fun is to bring a friend along. Working out with a partner not only adds a social aspect to your routine, but it can also provide some healthy competition and motivation. You and your friend can challenge each other to try new exercises or reach new goals, making your workouts more exciting and engaging.
Also, consider incorporating music or other forms of entertainment into your workouts. Create a playlist of your favourite songs, listen to an audiobook or podcast, or even watch a TV show while you exercise. This can help time fly by and make your workouts feel less like a chore.
By making exercise more enjoyable, you’re more likely to stick to your routine and make it a daily habit.
Track Your Progress
Tracking your progress is an essential part of making exercise a daily habit. It allows you to see how far you’ve come and provides motivation to keep going. Keep a record of your workouts in a journal, an app, or on a calendar. You can include the distance you covered, the number of reps you completed, or the time you spent exercising. Seeing a visual representation of your progress can keep you motivated and help you stay on track.
Additionally, tracking your progress can help you identify patterns and make adjustments to your routine. You may notice that you’re consistently struggling with a particular exercise or that you’re not seeing results in a certain area. This information can help you modify your workouts and make them more effective.
As mentioned before, making exercise enjoyable is crucial for establishing a daily habit. Tracking progress can improve the enjoyment factor by allowing you to celebrate small victories along the way. Whether it’s running a little further, lifting a bit more weight, or seeing your muscles develop – acknowledging your achievements can help you stay motivated and excited about your workouts.
Set Realistic Goals
In addition to tracking progress, setting realistic goals is another critical component of making exercise a daily habit. While it’s tempting to aim for the stars, setting unrealistic goals can lead to frustration and disappointment, ultimately derailing your routine.
Instead, start with small, achievable goals that align with your fitness level and schedule. For example, committing to a 10-minute workout each day is more attainable than aiming for an hour-long intense gym session, especially if you’re new to exercise or have a busy schedule.
As you meet these small goals, gradually increase the difficulty and duration of your workouts. By creating achievable goals that offer a sense of accomplishment, you’ll be more likely to stick to your routine.
Setting realistic fitness goals can help you overcome common obstacles such as lack of motivation or feeling overwhelmed by the challenge.
It’s all about consistency! If you’re struggling to make exercise a habit, my post on Consistency Over Motivation will give you some tips to stay on track.
Overcome Common Obstacles
Setting realistic fitness goals can help you overcome common obstacles that may hinder your ability to stick to your exercise routine. Lack of motivation is one of the primary barriers that prevent individuals from reaching their fitness goals.
Feeling overwhelmed by the challenge is another obstacle that many people face. One effective strategy to overcome this is to break down your workout routine into smaller, more manageable tasks. So again, focus on small segments of exercise rather than 1-2 hours. You can even scatter 10 minute exercises throughout the day.
Lack of time is another obstacle that can prevent many from sticking to their exercise routine. Try integrating physical activity into your daily routine, such as walking or biking to work instead of driving. By making fitness a part of your daily routine, you can easily overcome this obstacle.
Reward Yourself
Staying committed to your exercise routine can be tough, but by rewarding yourself for your hard work, you can increase your motivation and make staying on track easier.
Set achievable goals for yourself, such as working out three times a week, and reward yourself with something you enjoy, like a nice bunch of flowers or a candle. This positive reinforcement will encourage you to keep going and make exercise a regular habit in your life. Avoid rewarding yourself with food, this enforces a negative mindset that you have to “earn” food, you should be able to eat all food in moderation.
Mix It Up
To avoid getting bored with your exercise routine, it’s important to mix it up and try new activities. Not only will this keep things interesting, but it will also challenge your body in new ways and prevent plateaus. Consider trying a new fitness class each month, going for a hike in a different location, or incorporating new strength training moves into your routine.
By switching things up and keeping your body guessing, you’ll continue to see progress and stay motivated to stick with your exercise routine.
Make Exercise a Priority
It’s easy to let other obligations and responsibilities take priority over exercise. However, if you truly want to make exercise a daily habit, it’s important to prioritize it in your schedule. This may mean waking up earlier, saying no to other activities, or even scheduling exercise as an appointment on your calendar.
By making exercise a priority, you’ll be more likely to stick with it and less likely to let other things get in the way. But remember that exercise should always add to your life and not take away, so make sure to schedule it in at the best times for you.
Of course, there will still be days when unexpected events or emergencies arise. On those days, you may need to adjust your schedule or find creative ways to fit in a workout. But by consistently making exercise a priority in your daily life, you’ll be setting yourself up for long-term success and a healthier lifestyle.
Conclusion
Regular exercise is the key to leading a healthy lifestyle and is often easier said than done. Thankfully, with a few simple tricks you can form an exercise habit that sticks.
From creating a schedule to having a workout buddy, the 10 simple tricks discussed here will help you make exercise a daily habit. It won’t always feel easy, but with a bit of self-discipline and commitment it is doable.
So, if you’re ready to make a lifestyle change, start small, take it one day at a time, and make exercise a priority!