How To Make Your Workout A Habit
We all know those people who work out 6 days a week and make it seem effortless. Maybe at some point in our lives, we’ve even been those people! But for most of us mere mortals, we get in slumps where we can’t seem to find the motivation to work out regularly.
Since we work in the fitness world, we’ve experienced these ruts not only through our own lives, but also vicariously through our clients. Here are a few lessons we’ve learned to help get outta the rut and into the habit.
1) Ya gotta enjoy it
I hate going to the dentist. Twice a year, I drag myself there and try not to hear that horrible screeching sound. I do it because I know that prevention is the best cure—and because it’s only twice a year. But I absolutely do not enjoy it.
If someone told me that going to the dentist 12x a year would transform my teeth and make them invincible and pearly white forever, I still probably wouldn’t do it...because I hate going to the dentist.
Working out is no different. We all know it’s great for us, but if dragging ourselves to the gym is a chore every time, it’s never going to become a sustainable habit.
If this is sounding familiar, try out something new. Take group classes, try exercising with friends, maybe work out at a different time of day. Experiment until you find something that you enjoy (or at least don’t hate).
2) Mix in a little discipline
Once you find that form of exercise you enjoy, employ a bit of discipline to get yourself in a routine. Mark on your calendar which days you’ll work out, and maybe even what time you’ll do it. Keep track of your progress.
Take it a step further and create a reward for yourself whenever you achieve your goal. For instance, if I reach my goal of working out 5 times next week, I might treat myself to a lavender epsom salt bath.
(Personally, I wouldn’t recommend using food as a reward. When we use food as a reward for doing something, it means that we don’t “deserve” it when we don’t reach our goal, and I don’t think that’s a healthy perspective. It’s about moderation, not deprivation.)
3) Don’t expect perfection
Life fluctuates, and your exercise habits will, too. Give yourself some forgiveness when you don’t meet your goals, especially right at the start of a new routine.
4) It’s all about perspective
Swap out your “should” for “choose.” Instead of saying to yourself, “I should really go to yoga,” say “I choose to go to yoga because it makes me feel strong and supple.”
This simple change in language switches the narrative from one of obligation to one of self-care. You choose to move because it clears your head and keeps your body mobile.
5) Celebrate your bod
Our bodies are truly incredible. Every time I stop and think about what my body can do, it makes me want to treat it better.
Celebrate the small wins, like being able to do an exercise 10 times when you used to only be able to muster 5. And share your wins with us! We love to hear how you’re improving yourself and celebrating it.