We all know how important exercise is for our health and wellbeing, yet many of us struggle to find time for a daily workout. As any personal trainer will tell you, physical activity has to be done regularly for you experience its many benefits. However, it’s not always easy to stick to a fitness regime when there are other things you’d rather be doing.
If you’re guilty of picking up new exercise habits and not seeing them through, you might be wondering how others manage to commit to a regular workout; is the problem with your mindset or are you just not cut out for exercise? The good news is, anyone can turn casual workout habits into a lifestyle with a bit of persuasion, and here’s how:
Make it Fun
Many people start exercising without finding ways to enjoy the process; this is never going to yield results. Working out shouldn’t be a chore; in fact, if you don’t enjoy exercising, you’re probably not going to stick to it, so don’t push yourself to do something you know you hate. If you find the gym insufferable, for instance, practice an outdoor activity instead such as running, cycling or scooter riding.
People who are good at exercising only do workouts they enjoy, so try a variety of activities until you find something you like. Contrary to what people think, a workout doesn’t need to involve sweating it out at the gym or doing push-ups in the park (unless you want to, of course). The more enjoyable you make your fitness activity, the more you’ll get out of it – so have a little fun.
Get the Gear
It goes without saying that you’ll need to invest your time in a new sport or workout, but you should also be prepared to spend a little cash to get the most out of your new hobby. If you love lifting weights, for example, you can easily find hand weights to use at home. If yoga is more your thing, why not treat yourself to a yoga block or band to enhance your practice? Alternatively, if you’re practicing a pro sport like scooter riding, there are tons of accessories you can find online to help you up your game, such as wheels and bearings. Root Industries is the world’s most trusted scooter parts brand, with many of the world’s top riders turning to Root Industries for spare or new parts; you can find out more at www.skates.co.uk.
Hold Yourself Accountable
While it’s important to find an exercise you enjoy, you might not love working out right away. A habit only becomes a lifestyle when we persevere, even through the days that might be tough. Often the hardest part of working out is taking that first step – getting out of bed and into your gym gear, or stepping on the yoga mat for instance – but have you ever exercised and regretted it afterwards?
The bottom line is, it’s not the end of the world if you skip the odd workout, but if you do it often enough, then you will eventually break the habit. Start with a schedule that’s easy to follow, and don’t commit to working out every day if you know you don’t have time. Instead, carve out some time twice a week, and show up for yourself. In the end, you’re the only one who will lose out if you don’t.