There are many ways to maintain a fitness routine for life. That said, when you take into consideration our busy schedules, lack of energy during free time and the misinformation we read every day on social media and hear from friends and family, it’s easy to set ourselves in the wrong direction. This can make it feel as though it’s very difficult to be able to stay on track over time. Sure, we’re okay as long as the workout is new, but over time we become complacent and let things stride.
One of the biggest challenges that many people face involves keeping up with a fitness routine for the long run. You might find yourself working out regularly for a few weeks or a few months, or even a year, but you may eventually lose steam, become bored, and stop exercising like you’re supposed to. Don’t worry, as you certainly aren’t alone, and rest assured that there are ways to maintain a fitness routine for life.
Overcoming Fitness Obstacles by Creating Good Habits
Imagine yourself in a lean, fit body, able to achieve both your fitness and lifestyle goals. How do you make the vision a reality? No one ever said that staying in shape was easy, no matter how effortless some people make it look. It requires getting into a mindset that is read to succeed and creating good habits. It is never too late to start a new routine or habit and the ones that you start putting into place today will pay off in benefits for the rest of your life.
Check out the tips below to get started.
Variety Is the Spice of Your Fitness Routine
If you are always following the same fitness routine over and over again, you are bound to get bored. Plus, your muscles will adapt and will become strong enough to execute every movement with the least amount of effort, so you will eventually stop seeing the results that would otherwise keep you motivated. So, the best thing to do if you want to maintain a fitness routine for the long haul is to keep switching it up. Keep your body guessing to continue building strength and try out a variety of workouts to keep your mind excited about tackling a new exercise and overcoming new challenges.
Include Recovery in You Variety
While you’re keeping things interesting and fresh, don’t forget that one of the important ways to maintain a fitness routine for life includes giving yourself adequate recovery time. Remember that using your muscles in the same way every day without a rest in between isn’t good for you. It’s not just a matter of making sure things stay different so you’ll remain motivated. You also need to rest your muscles to give them time to heal and recover, grow stronger and prevent injury.
Find a Time of Day That Works for You
Some people prefer working out first thing in the morning, but that doesn’t work for everyone. Other people don’t mind going to the gym at midnight, but that certainly won’t work for everyone either.
The truth is that it doesn’t matter what time of day you exercise, just as long as you exercise. So, set aside a time every day during which you will have the motivation and the energy necessary to get through your workout. Whether that means scheduling in your workouts for 8 a.m. or 6 p.m. is entirely up to you. But scheduling in this time will help you stick to a schedule, so you don’t fall off track. And if you have to change your time slot because of a new job or new responsibilities, do it; don’t force yourself to stick with a time that no longer works.
Make It Easy to Exercise at Home
You may not always have the time or motivation to get to the gym or to the yoga studio, so make it a point to exercise at home as well. Purchase a few dumbbells that you can use for a quick strength training routine, perform bodyweight exercises, and roll out your yoga mat while following an instructor online, as a few examples.
Don’t Make it a Chore, but Don’t Skip it Unnecessarily, Either
If you strongly dislike your workout, you’ll find it hard to find ways to maintain a fitness routine for life. That said, by making things easier and giving them more variety, you’re certain to enjoy it and build the habits you need to keep up your fitness efforts over the longer term. Still, even when you’re determined, and you’re bound to have days when you just don’t feel like exercising.
Naturally, when you’re trying to find ways to maintain a fitness routine for life, skipping your workouts shouldn’t be a frequent option. If you’re just not in the mood, do it anyway. Get used to pushing yourself to do your workout. It will likely take a while, but over time, you will build the habit you need to keep getting to it without even really thinking about it. Still, when you truly can’t stand the thought of getting up and doing a workout, give yourself the time off. There’s a difference between pushing yourself and torturing yourself. The last thing you want is to make it a chore that you can’t stand doing. You’ll never keep it up long-term if that’s the case.
Be Realistic
There will be times when you’ll enjoy your workouts and times when you’re not feeling all that enthusiastic about them. There will be times when you’ll feel like you never want to do it again, and there will be times when you push yourself to do it anyway, and you discover you really enjoyed that particular session.
Even when you’re going through a span of time that you’re not loving every minute of your workout, remember that this is only a small part of the bigger picture. Nothing is wonderful every moment every day. Be realistic and understand that workouts are just another part of everyday life. You’ll be much more accepting of different trends if you do.
By implementing the tips above, it should become easier to maintain a fitness routine, regardless of what workouts you choose to pursue.
