Easing into Exercise: Establishing the Workout Habit
Image by Timtak
We all know how good it feels to exercise regularly. But for many, it is one of the first things to be bumped off the to-do list. We use many excuses in order to avoid exercise, one of the greatest being “I don’t have time”, quickly followed by, “I’m too tired”. How do I know? I’ve used those excuses myself!
The good news is, once you get past the excuses and start exercising regularly, it doesn’t take long before you feel the benefits. Give it a chance, you will WANT to workout.
It's true.
What do you do when you feel extremely out of shape? How do get started when you don’t know what to do?
Here are a few tips for easing into exercise. They have worked for me. Maybe they will work for you too.
Start small
Take a slow walk around the block. Gradually add a little more time and speed each day.
Choose an easy home workout DVD and do 5 or 10 minutes of it. DVDs are great because they are always available. After a long illness, when I felt quite weak, I chose Leslie Sansone’s Walk Away the Pounds DVDs (There are many options available, and even some on Netflix to rent.)
Try New Things
One of the keys to sticking with any workout routine is to find something you enjoy. Try different things to see if something just clicks. You might find a passion you didn’t know was there.
When something is fun, it doesn’t feel like exercise. Discover that something and it will be much easier to stick with a workout routine.
New ideas can be found by renting or borrowing different DVDS , joining a friend on their favorite workout activity, or browsing your local recreation center.
Be Accountable
Find a friend to walk with, or someone to email about your progress. It really helps to have a friend on the journey.
Earlier this year my sister and I did a 90 day program called ChaLean Extreme. We emailed each other most days and mentioned the workout we completed and any other details we wanted to include (like, “I am so sore, I can’t lift my arms!”). My sister lives in Australia and I’m in the U.S.A. This was a great way for us to do something together even though we are so far apart.
Who could you partner up with? Think outside the box!
Do something every day
The exercise habit does not form easily if you workout one day then take next three off. Don’t feel that it is necessary to do a hardcore workout each and every day if you are just beginning, but do something.
What obstacles do you need to overcome to be fit and healthy? What are your favorite ways to exercise?
(This post contains affiliate links to products I own, use, and love)
These are great tips, thanks for sharing. I think some obstacles I need to overcome is time – carving out the time to do it. As well as my own lazy self, I need to do it even though I don’t feel like it. I used to be on a real routine, but I let myself get out of it 🙁
I used to love going to the YMCA, but with the kids that ends up being more expensive than it’s worth. So I’ve been doing videos at home and it’s worked out well.
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