Getting Into the Fitness Habit

We all love the motto “Just Do It”, but it’s always easier said then done.  Some days, the ‘just do it’ attitude may work other days a blast of dynamite under your butt can’t get you going.  But just like biting your nails is a habit, albeit a bad one creating a good habit is also possible.

For those who are avid exercisers, it’s quite possible that they could feel out of sync if they didn’t have their mandatory workout or run.  Is it hard to believe that you could crave exercise?  That you could actually make an excuse in some other part of your life just so that you could make it to the gym.

Okay, okay… so how can I crave exercise like chocolate?  Well to tell you the truth there isn’t much to it.  But one thing is for certain and that is habit can be perposefully created.

To create your habit, commit to 20 minutes every day. Opting to skip a day only throws a wrench in the way your body was designed to cope.  Consistency is required to form a habit.  Once it’s a habit, it becomes normal.

Follow these next six tips to make it easy:

1. Make it simple. Don’t complicate the matter by throwing too much variety into your plate at first.  Stick to 20 minutes of walking/jogging.  Or even 20 minutes of a Wii fitness game.  I stick to cardio, because it’s what I dislike the most.
2. Pick a Specific Time. Typically first thing in the morning is best, because you are more focused.  On the other hand, on your way home from work is best before you get home.  If you work at home, I find right at lunch time is best.
3. Be Prepared. This is two fold, if you happen to know that you will be hungry at the end of your workout then make sure that you will have the food on hand ready to be made.  This is to kill the temptation of grabbing something unhealthy to eat afterwards.  Also, have your workout clothes ready so that you can remain focused on your workout and not wondering where they are.
4. Increase Time Slowly. Wait at least two full weeks before you decide to increase the amount of time you are working out.  Do not add more then 5 minutes a week.  Once your up to 30 minutes, take off one day a week.  Because your body needs rest.
5. Let someone know. If you have someone to tell about your goal, let them know about it.  Have them remind you if it’s not too much.  Otherwise, set a reminder for yourself on one of the numerous devices we have today.  Your cell phone, watch etc.  Anywhere you are likely to be.
6. Keep a Journal. Your journal doesn’t need to be elaborate, but writing down your commitments and checking them off when you’ve completed them really helps with self motivation.  Make sure it’s small and portable, or even keep the journal on your PDA.

One last thing to mention is to make sure that you know why you have decided to make fitness a habit. Some people solely focus on losing weight, when it is better to focus on the health benefits that exercise will give you.  Losing weight will happen, but don’t focus on it.

Well that’s it, 4 weeks and you should be in fitness habit.  Your body can handle 20 minutes a day.  But remember, once you’ve upped it to 30 give your body a rest.  If your wondering what to do from there, don’t worry I’ll cover that.

See you in 4 weeks.