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10 Steps to Create an Exercise Habit

It can get really frustrating when you know what you want to do, and even should do, but you can’t get yourself to do it. Exercising regularly is something that we all know that we should be doing, yet few of us seem to be able to build that consistent habit.If you can create an exercise habit, you’ll never have to try and  motivate yourself to exercise again!

Try these simple tips to create a regular exercise habit:

  1. Set a goal. In this case, set a goal to exercise a certain number of times each week for a specific amount of time. For example, you may want to exercise three times a week for 40 minutes each time. Keep in mind that the more frequently the activity occurs, the easier it is to develop a habit.
  2. Choose a form of exercise that appeals to you. There is no reason to choose an exercise like swimming as a form of exercise if you don’t enjoy swimming. Choose an activity that you can enjoy and that you know you will do on a regular basis.
  3. Find the best way to enjoy it. Walking on a treadmill can be boring for some people. However, if you can walk on a treadmill and chat with a friend or watch TV, it might be more enjoyable.I am not a big fan in watching tv it can easily distract you while you are working out and you may not put the same effort in.Working out with a friend can be very helpful too. Playing basketball in an organized league can be more enjoyable than running up and down the court by yourself and alot more fun too.
  4. Plan exercise into your schedule. Exercise is like saving money. If you only do it when it’s convenient, you’ll never do it. Waiting until you have time to exercise is a mistake. Make time and build it into your schedule.I write my workouts in pen on my schedule and they never get changed unless there is an emergency.
  5. Have workout buddy. You’ve let yourself down countless times in the past when it comes to exercising. What will one more time matter? You probably feel less comfortable about letting someone else down. Find a partner and be reliable.Having a workout buddy keeps you accountable.Making it social is so important
  6. Stay present while getting ready. It’s the first step that’s challenging. It’s not hard to work out once you’re at the gym. The challenging part is changing your clothes, putting on your shoes, and getting out the front door. Avoid thinking about the drive, the workout, or anything else other than putting on your shoes and closing the front door behind you.Don’t forget you can also workout from the comfort of your own home which will save you commuting time and the hassle of parking.You can easily set up an area in your home or garage, it doesn’t have to be elaborate
  7. Reward yourself during and after your workout. Making yourself feel good about working out is one of the keys to repeating that behavior in the future. Tell yourself how good you’re doing. Jump up and down afterwards and tell yourself, “Yes, I did it!” That’s enough of a reward if you can generate some real enthusiasm.Really pay attention to how you feel afterwards,I know for me I just have a better day when I have got that workout in.
  8. Visualize the long-results. Remember why you’re exercising in the first place. It’s to be healthier, feel better, and look better. Visualize yourself six months from now. Imagine how great you’ll look and feel. Imagine the reactions of others and the praise of your physician.What we think is what we become,so think how healthy you look and fee.
  9. Avoid holding negative thoughts about your exercise. If you tell yourself, “I don’t want to work out today. It’s boring” while sitting at your desk in the afternoon, you’ll be less likely to do it. Catch yourself and change your thoughts to something positive.Our thoughts are what drive our behaviors so the best place to start changing them is by recognizing them when they show up and replacing them with words that are more empowering for you.“Working out is so good for me in so many ways, I feel better and better everyday and I’m excited I can spend 40 minutes working out today
  10. Allow for slips. Even Olympic athletes miss the occasional workout. It happens to everyone. It’s important to resolve to not miss the next workout. Avoid using one misstep as an excuse to abandon your workout habit altogether.It is easy to find one missed workout leading to the next missed workout.You must make the commitment to yourself never to miss two workouts in a row, before you know it it will be weeks later and you haven’t missed a workout.

Getting in shape is easy if you can develop the habit of regular exercise. The exercise isn’t the challenge. Developing the habit of exercising in the real challenge. You don’t need motivation or self-discipline if you have a habit.

Do you need to psych yourself up to brush your teeth? No, you don’t because you have created the habit. That’s how easy exercising can be once you’ve made a habit of it.

Checkout this article Get Fit Fast in 5 Easy Steps