What’s the toughest part of a fitness program? For many, it’s actually sticking with it. Wouldn’t it be great if there was a tool to help with that? What about forming a habit? Check out these tips from our expert on how to turn your healthy lifestyle into a habit and achieve the results you want!
Whether you’re a fitness veteran or just starting out, you can probably agree that maintaining an exercise routine is challenging. You might have tried various sources of motivation, but the key trick has always been right there:
The key to a solid exercise routine is building a habit.
Part of the struggle with exercise comes from the fears surrounding it. You might worry about being too exhausted to work after the gym or losing personal time because your free time is spent exercising. Building habits helps to eliminate these fears because you soon realize that the reality isn’t as daunting as you initially thought.
Once you make exercise a habit, it becomes a natural part of your life, just like turning off your alarm in the morning or making breakfast. Many top athletes have great exercise habits. Look at athletes like Karl Malone or Dan Bailey, and it’s clear they have strong routines to stay in shape.
To integrate exercise into your routine and make it a habit, try doing it right after other healthy activities in your day. For example, go for a run after your morning shake or join an aerobics class after your afternoon supplements. Think of exercise as an addition to the healthy habits you already practice, allowing it to piggyback until it becomes a standalone part of your life.
Another tip is to designate a specific time of day for your workouts. By setting a fixed time, you’ll know that every day at a certain hour, you’ll be exercising. This way, you avoid disrupting other tasks and can manage your time efficiently. Reserve chunks of time for work, study, or any other responsibilities, fitting exercise seamlessly into your schedule.
When every task in your day has its place, you’ll start forming healthy habits overall.
Deciding to make exercise a habit can be life-changing as it becomes a regular part of your daily routine.