Deciding that you’re finally ready to start living a healthier and more active lifestyle is the first step in making real changes. Finding an exercise routine you’re excited to follow can help you live the healthy and active lifestyle you’ve always dreamed of. Unfortunately, it’s often much easier to say that you want to have a daily exercise routine than it actually is to keep one.
We know how difficult it can be to stick to an exercise routine. That’s why we’re going to give you our best tips on how you can finally stick to the routine you’ve made for yourself to make exercise an effective part of your weight loss program in Springfield Missouri.
Have a Dedicated Workout Area
Are you interested in starting a home exercise routine? Working out at home can make it easy to squeeze routines into your busy day, but finding a way to stick to it can be difficult.
We recommend making a designated workout area in your home. You don’t need a lot of space to workout. Sometimes just having a corner of the room where you can store all of your equipment can help.
When you have a part of your home that’s solely made for working out it can be easier to stick to your routine. You won’t have to spend time trying to find an area to set things up. You’ll be able to easily pick up your weights, mat, and other equipment and get started.
Having a special area of your home that’s dedicated to workouts can also help get you in the right mindset to work out. You’ll start to subconsciously associate that area with exercise, and once you enter it you’ll be ready to start your routine.
Eat a Proper Diet
We know that you’re interested in working out, but eating well and having a successful workout routine go hand in hand.
The food that you eat can drastically influence your performance when you exercise. Junk food is full of empty calories and it lacks the essential vitamins and minerals you’ll need to stay active.
If you’re serious about working out, focus on adjusting your diet. Eating a diet that’s full of lean protein, fruits, vegetables, and healthy grains can keep you energized and help you burn fat.
Supplements are also an important part of your diet. Give your body the extra boost it needs by adding quality supplements to your daily nutrition routine.
Pace Yourself
When some people decide that they want to get into a workout routine, they pull out all the stops. They dedicate themselves to daily lengthy runs, intense weight lifting routines, and sign up for every class their gym offers.
If you start your workout routine too intensely, you’re almost guaranteed to set yourself up for failure. Exercise burnout can occur if you work your body too hard too fast.
People that haven’t worked out in years can’t expect to run a 5K a week after they start their routine. If you set goals that are too lofty, you’ll feel bad when you don’t meet them and can further sabotage your weight loss routine.
Start off your routine slowly and add on to it as time goes on. Gradually increasing the length and difficulty of your workout lets you work at your own pace and gives you the energy and confidence to constantly improve.
Set Clear Goals
Starting a workout routine because you want to be healthier and more active is a good reason to start exercising, but it may not be enough to keep you motivated. If you want to stick to your routine, focus on what goals you want to achieve by working out.
Do you want to be able to lose 10 pounds in six weeks? Do you want to be able to cut your mile run time in half? Are you interested in toning your arms and back?
When you start thinking of exercising in terms of reaching goals, you’re able to stay motivated and can focus on getting results. Goals also have the adding benefit of adding a more legitimacy to your workouts. Since you’re working towards something concrete and not a vague idea, it’s easier to focus on reaching specific goals.
Find a Workout Buddy
Friends can be a great support system when you’re focused on losing weight. If you want to stick to your routine and spend more time with friends, consider getting them involved in your exercise routines.
A workout buddy can help hold you accountable. You’re more likely to stick to your exercise routine if you’re going to be working out with a friend. You won’t want to let them down, and you’ll be looking forward to spending time with them.
Friends can help keep you motivated and can give you the push you need to get through tough parts of your routine. You’ll be able to support each other and will be happy to cheer each other on.
Switch Things Up
Changing things may seem strange when you’re trying to stick to a routine. But the truth is that adding a little variety to your routine could be what helps you stick to it.
Eventually, even the best exercise routines will start to get old. Your body will get used to the exercises that you’re doing and eventually, they won’t be as impactful. You’ll stop seeing results, get bored, and abandon your exercise routine.
Trying out new exercises gives your body a new challenge and it helps keep things exciting. Consider adding a new exercise to your routine every six weeks to shake things up and give yourself something new to do.
Start Your New Exercise Routine Today
Sticking to an exercise routine can be difficult, but if you follow these tips, you’ll find yourself building an exercise habit you’ve always dreamed of. If you focus on pacing yourself, eating well, and setting goals, you’ll be on your way to keeping your exercise schedule.
Are you ready to get started on the path to a healthier you? Contact Us and learn about how we help our patients achieve their weight loss goals.