Posted on April 10, 2015 by Jenny Cromack
It can be very hard to get into the habit of exercising regularly, especially if you’re a busy individual. But let’s be serious if you really wanted to do it you would (in the words of a well known brand) just do it! You can train practically anywhere, you don’t need a gym, treadmill or even much space. Many people start with the best intentions but often give in after a week or two, however for everyone that quits somebody will stick with it long term… how do they do it? How can you be that person who sticks to and makes exercise an habit. Here are Motive8 Norths top tips about how to form the exercise habit.
1. Variety is key: Anything done for 4 weeks or more without some form of variation starts to provide diminishing returns. Combine traditional approaches such as resistance training and cardio training with social exercise, such as walking, sports, or fitness classes. They key is to always strive to make some little change.
2. Commit to someone: We still vastly understate the importance of social accountability, personal training clients with motive8 North are so successful because they know they have to ‘report’ to their Personal Trainer – it’s all about accountability. This doesn’t have to be a personal trainer, it could be a loved one, a best friend, or your worst enemy. There has been some interesting documentaries on recently showing that hatred may be a greater motivator to stick to an exercise regime than love. Even Austin Powers had Dr Evil.
3. AM stands for ‘Awesome Morning’: Train in the morning before you begin your day, yes this is incredibly hard to start with BUT there are no other interruptions (other than you not getting out of bed!) which can interrupt your training. People who leave training to later in their day leave their time to train open to sabotage by work, an email, family commitments, a social appointment. Get it done first thing and the day is yours.
Join a gym close to work, or where you live, make it easy on yourself. If you live in Leeds Motive8 North at Marshall Mill is open from 6am Monday to Friday. We’ll see you there!
4. Keep an exercise journal: Simply record your weekly training, how you felt afterwards, etc. This will be an amazing tool when you hit the wall and just want to dodge the gym. All of your best most positive thoughts combined in a log of eventually hundreds of hours of physical training. Its the past motivated you giving the current you a kick up the butt.
5. Reward yourself: People keep telling me that rewards a great motivator, never mind, getting healthier, having more energy, sleeping better, improved brain function, better confidence. If you need that extra something, set a goal, it could be a weight, or reaching a new strength level, completing a running distance. Then when you hit that goal have a set reward…. not food! Something material that will be a constant reminder, maybe a pair of shoes or a new coat. You’ll know that coat as the 200 mile coat or the one stone coat.
In summary to form the exercise habit its going to require some will power, it won’t be easy after 1 month, 2 months or even 3, but it gets easier and easier every day to make the correct choice! Keep training!