Tips for Getting Back in the Habit of Exercising

Please welcome Rebecca from Rebecca Chapman as she shares Tips for Getting Back in the Habit of Exercising

Last January I started working out for the first time in well…ever. Back when gym class was mandatory, I usually was too sick to participate. By the time I was in college, the only physical activity that was required was carrying heavy textbooks in my backpack, and that was about all I did. But last year, I decided to make a change. I signed up for Bar Classes and started going regularly.

Over the next few months I got stronger and more flexible. My jeans fit a little better. I had a lot more energy. And then something happened. Thanksgiving arrived. My husband and I went out of town and I ate more food than a pack of wolves. By the time we got back to town, I was feeling a rounder and less-motivated. December arrived and I convinced myself it was close enough to Christmas that I could continue my break. And then it was almost New Years so I couldn’t go back yet. Well the New Year came and went and it had been so long since I’d exercised, that I was afraid to go back. But I pushed myself to go anyway.

Maybe you’re like me and November and December were really hard on your workout routine. Or maybe you’re like I was last year and you’re wanting to start something new for the first time. Well I have a few tips of things that have really helped me get back in to the habit of exercising.

1. Pack Your Bag The Night Before – I don’t know about you, but I’m cranky and lazy in the mornings. If packing gym clothes is one more thing I have to hustle to do before work, I’m probably not going to do it. If I’m running late, I always use the excuse that I didn’t have time to pack my clothes, so I certainly can’t go workout that day. Don’t give yourself the excuse.

2. Schedule Your Workout – My Bar Method class has a scheduler app. I always make sure to schedule it the night before or first thing in the morning so I know that I’m committing to going. If your workout is more flexible maybe plan to meet a friend at a certain time or tell someone close to you exactly what time you are going. Write it down as an appointment in your planner if you have to. Make sure you are deciding to go in some way.

3. Get One New Exercise Outfit – I am usually way more excited about yoga pants than I am about wearing the yoga pants to do anything other than sit on the couch. However, I do know that if I get myself something cute (a new tank, sports bra, or pants) I feel like I have to use them for their intended purpose. Find something you feel great in and make a deal with yourself that you can purchase it if you go to the gym a certain number of times this month.

4. Keep Track Of Your Progress – Any small victory should be celebrated. I make a mark in my planner every day that I go work out. It gets me competing against myself to get the most number of marks for the month that I can. I’m even considering buying stickers (because who doesn’t love gold stars for good deeds?!) and I’m planning to reward myself with something fun after I get to a set number of stickers.

Whatever you do, make sure you are making getting exercise fun in some way. It will be so much easier to stay on top of your goals if you’re enjoying the process.

How do you stay motivated to work out?

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