Six Tips For Starting & Sticking to a Fitness Routine

Let me start by saying it’s not easy. We are all busy and it’s a juggling act getting to work, the kids to school, extracurricular activities, the grocery store, cooking dinner and the list goes on.  Oh yeah...and the laundry...it’s produced quicker than you can wash and dry. My machine literally never stops-I just keep a load going at all times as I’m sure you do too! Anyway, it can be daunting to figure out how to even fit it in so I think most of us just give up before we even get started. I can’t tell you how often I have heard “I don’t have time, I work” or “Maybe when my kids are older I’ll have more time” or “It’s easy for you, you don’t work”. I’m going to be straight up...it’s all crap. If it’s important to you, you’ll make time for it. Period. We make time for what’s important to us and that’s just how it goes. Plenty of people do it that work, have small children, can’t afford the fancy fitness classes, etc. etc. Tip number 1: Quit making excuses. If it’s important then you will find the time.

Tip number 2: Mark it on your calendar....in ink! Treat it with the same reverence you would a business meeting, a school function, a lunch date or whatever. Write it down, block off your time and stick to it. If something else comes up stopping short of a sick or injured family member your response is “I already have an appointment, is there another time?” You are worth the investment in yourself...I promise.

Tip number 3: Pick a form of exercise you don’t dread. If you dread it you won’t do it. It’s more important that you are moving your body than a specific form of exercise. Don’t worry what everyone else is doing...do what you like. God gave us these bodies and it’s up to us to care for them as best we can. The benefits you will reap from it far exceed any reduction in a dress size.

Tip number 4: Make a friend. I’ve made so many great friends through my exercise routine. I look forward to seeing them when I go and we hold one another accountable. If you choose a form of exercise you enjoy, you will make like minded friends. It’s better that way than coercing an existing friend to join you. Maybe cross fit is your thing and yoga is hers so that dynamic won’t work well in exercising together.  Just catch up with her later over a glass of wine.

Tip number 5: Commit for a month. I know all the rules...3 days, 3 weeks whatever. Just give it a month. You will feel great and be fully invested by then and wonder how you ever got  by without it. By then it’s like brushing your teeth...something you just do.

Lastly, buy a cute exercise outfit. Who doesn’t look for an excuse to wear a cute new outfit and we know there is no shortage of great athletic wear these days! It’s come a long way from the parachute shorts when I was growing up.

So, if exercising is something you have wanted to try, trying to pick up again or wherever you may be in your journey, here are my tips:

1.  Quit making excuses and actually commit to your goals and plan

2. Mark every workout you want to make on your calendar in ink

3.  Choose something you enjoy doing...or at least don’t dread

4.  Make a friend

5.  Give it a solid month. Commitment is key.

6. Buy a cute exercise outfit or something that you think you look nice in. It will make the workout a little easier getting to wear that new piece.