Make A Realistic Fitness Plan That You Will Stick With

It’s easy to say you’re going to work out. It’s much more difficult to actually make it happen. Failed workout plans add up and eventually you give up. Below you will find the steps you can take to make a realistic fitness plan you will stick with that will give you results!

Step One: Find the fitness classes or programs you might enjoy

One of the biggest reasons that people don’t stick with their fitness plan is because they do not enjoy it. They may actually go so far as to say they hate it. If you hate it then you’re not going to do it. There is no reason to torture yourself because your plan will fail. There are many fun activities that are healthy that can help you make a realistic fitness plan that you will enjoy. Consider some of these fun activities:

• Swimming
• Yoga
• Martial Arts
• Dance
• Walking/Hiking
• Cycling
• Shadow Boxing (make it more exciting with boxing resistance bands)

Sit down and write a list of the fun activities you enjoy or might enjoy. Look around your community for opportunities to explore and add these activities to your day.

Step Two: Find small bits of time in your schedule to exercise

The best way to make fitness a habit is to approach it realistically. Trying to exercise for an hour each day when you’ve never exercised before may be a bit too much. Instead, try to exercise for ten or fifteen minutes a day. Using weight bands at home is an easy way to get some quick exercise in. If you have signed up for a class, make sure tot fit that class into your schedule once or twice a week. The other days, exercise for ten or fifteen minutes. Making exercise a daily habit makes it much easier to embrace permanently.

If you live six to ten miles away from work, consider riding a bicycle to the office instead of taking your car. There are options such as power-assisted electric bikes if you don’t want to arrive at work all tired and sweaty. Try cycling normally some distance, then letting the power-assist feature take over before you get tired or work up too much sweat. Or you can take it easy when heading to work, then ride hard when going home. Commuting by bike will ensure you get 15 to 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise five days a week.

Step Three: Celebrate your success

Sometimes it’s easier to stick with a plan if you have something to celebrate. For example, after a week of successfully working out each day you might reward yourself at the end of the week. Find a reward that’s motivating and still supports your overall fitness goals. For example, you can get a massage at the end of the week. You might purchase a new fitness outfit.

Finally, consider tracking your success. When you can see what you’ve accomplished it can be extremely motivating. You’ll be able to see the progress you’ve made. Track the workouts you’ve accomplished. Track the weight you’ve lost. Consider tracking your feelings about each workout too. For example, was it easy or hard? What level of exertion did you feel? How did you feel the next day or after the workout?

Developing a realistic fitness plan is about managing your expectations. It’s about finding something you enjoy. Track and celebrate your success. Acknowledge that every day may not be perfect or successful but over time you can and will succeed. To your success!