Tips for Sticking to Your Fitness Regimen

The hardest part about starting a new fitness regimen is probably sticking to it and getting a rhythm going. It’s easy enough to start working out, but often we peter out and lose interest, which is what we’re trying to solve with a few simple tips.

One of the biggest needs for keeping with a good workout plan is to be internally motivated to push yourself towards goals. Various studies of people trying to acquire better lifestyle habits have found that external motivation can get people started on the right track, but external factors are always in flux and often enough people who start working out for external reasons will run out of that motivation. People who are internally motivated to be healthier, to feel better, to be stronger are the ones who will stick to the workout and see their progress go on. To put it simply, do it for yourself, not for him, her or them.

Another big helper with sticking to your program is to have a workout partner. Having at least one of your weekly sessions scheduled with a personal friend or family member gets you invested, so while you might skip some of your sessions because you’re not feeling it, your biggest, hardest session with your friend will less often be skipped due to the commitment. On that same note, having a coach or instructor can also fill this void and help you not drop the ball on working out.

The final simple tip is all about using your daily planner to keep track of your workouts.

Fitness experts advise that we get at least 150 minutes a week of exercise. The most common setup for this is every weekday morning for half an hour. This plan works especially well if you like to have a few drinks on the weekend as working out the morning after drinking is both miserable and less effective. The regular short intensive workouts are also good for your cardiovascular system and help you feel a lot healthier and happier and more energized for your workdays. Think of it as a way to get your body activated and ready to take on anything the day throws at you.