Get Fit with Me!

How to start an exercise program you can stick with

Starting a new exercise program and sticking with it can be hard for most of us. Most of us who start an exercise regimen end up quitting just as fast as we begin. In my opinion, this could be due to how some approach it making it a painful, tedious, and frustrating experience. With that being said, when looking to start any new exercise regimen, try to design the following features into your exercise program to give yourself the best chance at long term success.

Find a partner: an exercise buddy can make any workout more enjoyable. You can hold each other accountable which will decrease your chances of missing a session/workout or quit entirely.

Get on schedule: Create a calendar and mark on it when you plan to exercise for at least 2 weeks in advance. It may also help to schedule each workout for the same time of day-right before your morning shower, for example, or right after you get home from work.

Take lapses in stride: Occasional lapses or hang ups are nearly inevitable due to illness, travel, bad weather, etc. A few missed workouts won’t set you back unless they discourage you from continuing.

Record your progress: Each time you work out, make sure you document it on your calendar-for example, how long you exercised, how hard you pushed, how much distance you covered, how many repetitions you did, whether you increased the resistance since your last workout, etc. Anything concerning your workout, document it!!!!! This is a GREAT way to keep track of your improvement/progress.

Give yourself a boost: Periodically review your calendar record to see how much you’ve improved in endurance and strength. If you are sticking to your regimen, reward yourself. For example-for every few weeks that you’ve stuck with the schedule, reward yourself by, say, going out to a fancy restaurant or buying something special.

Change your routine: After a month or two when you begin to start feeling bored, look at new places to workout or new routines to engage in. Begin adding in new exercises to your usual/normal routine…mix/change it up so you can keep going.

Make it happen!!!!!!