It’s never easy to start a fitness plan and stick with it. We all have different reasons for not being able to maintain consistency, but the truth is that if you want to see results, then you need to be consistent! Therefore, in this blog post we will explore 10 tips from my experience as a personal trainer on how to stay committed. Hopefully these ideas will help you get out of your rut and make progress in achieving your goals!
For most healthy people, the Department of Health and Human Services recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity each week, or a combination of moderate and vigorous exercise. As a result, increased amounts of physical exercise will still provide more value. At least twice a week, aim to include strength training exercises for all major muscle groups into your fitness routine.
Below are 10 Tips For Sticking with Your Fitness Plan! Use them to crush your goals and let me know what helped you out the most!
10 TIPS FOR STICKING WITH YOUR FITNESS PLAN
1) Grab a partner! Find a friend or family member that shares similar fitness goals. You can help each other stay regular with your workouts, make healthy food choices and remain on track. Moreover, you’re not in this alone. Accountability is powerful!
2) Make training appointments! Schedule your workouts. These meetings with yourself are as important as appointments at work, school or the doctor’s office. Get your training sessions on your calendar, so you know when you plan on showing up for yourself.
3) Track your progress! Whether you enjoy new technology that allows you to track everything from your movement and food intake to your sleeping patterns, or you like to keep an old fashioned journal…. do it! Reviewing your accomplishments gives you a sense of satisfaction and will energize you!
4) Plan ahead! Whether it is laying out your running clothes for the next morning or preparing meals for the week, good planning makes life easier. While we have to be ready to deal with the unexpected, being prepared saves time, increases productivity and reduces stress.
5) Create a vision board! Your vision board can be a huge poster sized board, a standard sized piece of paper, or a Pinterest album. Get your favorite photos, pictures and symbols of what you want to feel like, look like and be like, together in one place. Frame it, laminate it or place it somewhere special. View it frequently!
STAY THE COURSE
6) Read inspirational quotes! Find quotes that motivate you, inspire you and make you want to take action. Put them in places where you see them daily. The refrigerator door, your bathroom mirror, your screen saver or your phone’s wallpaper are all great places for posting your favorites.
7) Set a specific timed goal! Choose a race, an event, a special occasion, or even a vacation for which to train. This date isn’t changing. A deadline will give you more motivation to be sure you can run the distance, wear the dress you want, or feel awesome on a special day.
8) Reward yourself along the way! Acknowledge the small victories. Buy yourself a new outfit, treat yourself to a massage or take an hour to do an activity you love, but usually don’t have time to do. Keep your spirit energized!
9) Surround yourself with all things positive & supportive! Socialize with friends who support your efforts. These friends understand your desire to wake up early the next day to train and to make healthy food choices. For this reason, great friends encourage you along your journey.
10) Use set-backs to your advantage! If you do have a day, or week, that doesn’t go as exactly as you want it to, regroup. Use the experience to discover new strategies for fitting in quick workouts, finding healthy food while on the go, getting enough sleep, or whatever you need to do. Stay positive, refocus and get back on track as soon as possible.
STAY THE COURSE FIT FRIENDS
Whether you’re a beginner or a little more advanced, these 10 tips on how to stay motivated and stick with your fitness goals will help you stay the course on your fitness journey!
Author: Aimee Nicotera, MS
Aimee is a Marstons Mills, MA based Health & Fitness Coach and Virtual Fitness Studio Owner. She has over 25 years of experience helping individuals and groups meet their fitness goals.