Make Exercise a Habit

One of the hardest things about exercise is sticking with it. We know that just doing a walk here, a bike ride there and an aerobics class once in a while isn’t what strong bodies are made of. But if you can keep up your motivation to exercise it will become a habit and you will start to see and feel the results.

Here are six simple steps to make getting fit as natural as waking up in the morning and falling asleep at night.

1. Timing is everything. Exercise at a time that suits you. If you plan to hit the gym after work, but often stay late at the office or have a good social life, its going to be hard to make exercise a regular thing. For most people mornings are a more realistic time. If you can get up one hour earlier for one week, you might find exercise wakes you up and energises you for the rest of the day.

2. Make it convenient. Pick a gym that’s close to the office, so getting there in the morning, popping in at lunchtime or on the way home is easy.

3. Book it in your diary. Just like every other appointment and make it non-negotiable and make sure friends, family and work colleagues know this.

4. Think ahead. Half the battle is being organised. It doesn’t take much. While your packing your lunch or laying out your clothes for work the next day, be sure to pack your gym bag so you can get up and be off.

5. Tell everyone. That you are on a mission to get fit and healthy when people start asking how you look so well and healthy, tell them about your training and eating habits. Become their inspiration.

6. Become an addict. The feel good chemicals released during exercise workouts can leave you wanting more. If you reach this point that you yearn for the exercise, then the habit has been formed.