Exercise is important for our physical and mental health, but it can be difficult to make it a habit. The best way to avoid this difficulty is to recognize the various psychological factors that may be preventing us from exercising.
There are several reasons why exercise can feel like an uphill battle, but the good news is that understanding the psychological factors behind these feelings will help you overcome them. People often tell themselves things like “I always fail at my fitness goals” or “I don’t have time for exercise.” A positive mindset, on the other hand, can do wonders for your physical and mental health.
Making exercise a habit is not easy. It takes time, hard work, and dedication. But here are 5 little tips that should make the process smoother for you!
1. Be realistic
In order to reach your fitness goals, you need to be realistic about what you are capable of doing. In order to do this, it is important for you to consider all of the factors that go into working out. For example, if weightlifting is not your thing and you have been struggling with training different muscle groups, then it may not be realistic for you. If you love the outdoors and love going for a run, running might be a better exercise for you. This will help you stay motivated.
2. Create a routine
A routine is the most effective way to create a habit. This routine can be broken down into 3 steps:
-Decide which exercise you want to do
-Create a plan for your workout
-Do it consistently!
Start with one or two days per week and then gradually work your way up to five. Once you’ve created your routine, it is easier to follow through with it because you are more invested in the time and energy.
3. Set goals
Setting goals can be tricky. You may find that you are not sure what type of goal you want to set, or be unclear about how to reach the goal.
The first step is identifying your current level of fitness, so that you can set a goal at a more realistic level. Setting goals is often more about the process than the outcome- so don’t stress if your initial fitness goals are too high or too difficult to reach! Instead, enjoy the process of reaching these smaller milestones.
4. Track progress
Exercise is important to overall health and wellness. However, as everyone’s circumstances are different, it can be hard to know what is the right amount of exercise for you.
The first step to finding out your exercise goals is to figure out how active you typically are. This can be determined by considering the following:
-What kind of activities do you do?
-How much time do these activities take?
-How much energy do you have after completing these activities?
Next, review your activity level over a one week period to get an average. Anything under 20 minutes per day should be considered low activity; anything over 60 minutes per day should be considered high activity. You can then set appropriate goals for your overall fitness level.
5. Celebrate success
One of the most effective ways to stay motivated for your exercise routine is to celebrate your successes. This can be as simple as taking a picture of yourself at the end of your workout or rewarding yourself with something you love, but it is important that you give yourself credit for what you have accomplished.
Celebrating success will help you stay motivated because it allows you to feel successful and accomplished. This will go a long way in making sure that you continue to take steps towards reaching your goals.
