Making Fitness A Habit

Do you struggle with fulfilling those New Year Resolutions you made about becoming fitter? Have you signed up for a gym membership but used it less than 10 times? We get you. Building a habit of working out isn’t easy. It takes time, effort and motivation. But don’t put those running shoes into the bin yet. We’ve compiled several hacks that just might help you fulfill those resolutions you made.

• Redefine “Workout”: Get clear about your fitness goals. What exactly do you want to achieve? Chances are, its to become fitter overall. This is achieved with a mixture of cardio and strength training. What does this mean? It means good news! Movement counts, even if it’s not at a gym. You could choose to take the stairs or walk the longer route to work everyday, and that counts as getting your cardio fix. By redefining what you mean by “workout”, you break down mental roadblocks about the perceived ‘difficulties’ of building a habit.
• Forget Perfection: Focus on going to the gym everyday and “doing something”. Even if its not a lot, even doing a little bit is great. What’s important is building the habit of going to the gym everyday. Once you’re at the gym, chances are that you’ll end up doing something. Who knows, you might even complete an entire gym session just because you’re there and well, why not? If you really need to miss a day, just resume your schedule the next day with no guilt.
• Focus on Long-Term Health: Think of exercise as a lifelong activity, instead of something just for the next 3 months.
• Make it Convenient: Pack your gym bag and hang up your workout clothes the night before or keep your yoga mat in sight.
• Schedule It In: Make your workout time non-negotiable. Set a time to go to the gym, attend classes or go for a run everyday. Make this a priority in your schedule. It doesn’t have to take long, just 30 mins is enough.
• Get Social: Create accountability for yourself by scheduling a workout session with a friend, family member, or by joining group classes. This works because you and your friend hold each other accountable and you both benefit from working out!
• Focus on Process: Celebrate small wins and focus on how you feel rather than immediate physical changes. Visual changes take time, which can dampen your motivation. Instead, focus on how great you feel after a workout. Pat yourself on the back for every workout you complete, even for simply showing up at the gym or at that class you booked. Every step is a step forward. Go, you!
• Enjoy It: Choose activities you look forward to, such as walking, dancing, or sports, rather than forcing yourself to do exercise you hate. It’s simple logic. Go with something you enjoy doing, and you’ll likely stick with it for the long term.
• Make a Financial Commitment: Pay for a gym membership, buy a paid class package, or buy yourself comfortable workout gear. By spending on your fitness goal, you’re making a financial commitment. And chances are, you’ll be more likely to try and “get your money’s worth” by going to the gym, going for classes or going for a run in those new, expensive workout clothes.

We hope these hacks help to nudge you forward in your fitness journey! Remember, it’s about enjoying the process and blending it into your daily lifestyle. That’s the trick to successfully building a fitness habit.

Did you try any of these hacks? How did they work for you? Let us know in the comments below!

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