How to Start a Fitness Routine for Lifelong Health

For people who regularly workout, maintaining a gym routine is relatively easy. All you need to do is show up every day. You’ve overcome the initial hurdle and it’s just a battle of consistency now.

On the other hand, if you’ve never been to the gym, or if it has been a long time since you quit, starting all over again can be quite difficult. The initial hurdle seems huge and negative thoughts threaten to loom over you.

Here are some ways you can make starting a fitness routine easier and set it up so it becomes a lifelong commitment;

1.Removing the Hurdle of Time

Often, we fail to start simply because we cannot find enough time in the day. Don’t keep pressuring yourself. Instead, monitor your daily routine for a week and notice if there are any small pockets where you find yourself relatively free.

Note at least five varying 20-to-30-minute slots which could work for physical activity and then add a very easy and convenient activity to your daily routine. For example, try walking or riding a bike to work, or walking your dog early in the morning if you have one, or even taking the stairs instead of the elevator.

If you have a gym available at work, make the most of it. Better yet, if you have a child that goes to school, sign up for any volunteer activities such as field trips where you’d need to engage in extensive physical activity.

Make very small changes at first. For example, you could commit to getting up and walking every time you have a meeting or conference call. Try to incorporate some light stretches while you’re at it.

2. Gathering Social Support

Let your friends and family members know you are trying to be more physically active. Invite them to work out with you and plan social activities that involve some physical activity.

Consider getting a gym subscription if you have enough time and try to make new friendships with physically active people. If you are feeling adventurous, consider joining a hiking club!

3. Lack of Motivation

Often, people fail to start because they are waiting for motivation. However, motivation is temporary and it isn’t there most of the time. In fact, motivation isn’t what most people use to stick to their workout routine.

What you need is discipline. The simple act of getting up and doing the workout even if you don’t feel like it will prepare you to make it a part of your lifestyle in the long run. Some days you may enjoy it and feel particularly energetic. On days when you don’t feel that motivated, ask a friend to jog along with you or take it slow. But don’t forget to show up every day.

4. Fear of Injury

If the fear of injury is what’s preventing you from working out, put some mechanisms in place that help you avoid muscle strains. Rely on a personal training NY expert who teaches you how to warm up and cool down so you can avoid injury.

Learn the best kind of exercises that suit your body well depending on your age, fitness, and current health status. Work outside your comfort zone but do not push yourself beyond your limits before you gain enough confidence.

Slowly but surely, add on the weights and the reps and challenge yourself as previous exercises start feeling easier and less challenging.

5. Other Barriers

Perhaps you fear stepping into the gym because you don’t have the skill to lift weights or use the exercise machines in the establishment. Maybe you don’t want to start jogging or hiking because you feel uncomfortable and just don’t know how.

Consider taking a class to develop these new skills, watch videos online, or rely on an expert to guide you. Just get started. Eventually it is all going to fall into place.

You might also feel some mental resistance when you figure out that it may cost you a lot initially to get a subscription or equipment. However, there are lots of exercises you can do simply with your own body weight. Once you feel like you’ve gotten into the rhythm of working out you can choose to invest more.

Let’s Get Started

The key to developing a routine that lasts you for a long time is to set the right motivations and start out with enough support. Develop a positive mindset towards exercise instead of treating it like something to dread. Start having fun with it and you’ll definitely start to see results.