Wanting to make exercise a habit and actually doing it are two different things. To create a new habit, you need to change your behaviour. While this is not a simple task, it is 100% achievable!
Here are three tips for making exercise a habit.
1. Develop a pre-workout ritual.
Habits are behaviours you repeat over and over again. That also means you have to start a behaviour over and over again. To help make exercise a habit, develop a ritual that puts you in the right mindset to work out.
For example, listen to a ‘pump-up’ song while changing into your workout clothes or lay your clothes and shoes out the night before a workout so you’re prepared to exercise in the morning. Over time, listening to your pump-up song or laying out your clothes will trigger you to expect a workout and put you in the right mindset.
If you can develop a ritual that makes starting your workout mindless and automatic, it will be much easier to follow through and create a habit. Choose a ritual that is simple or fun that you will continually follow through on.
2. Start with mini workouts.
Your normal plan of attack is likely to hit the ground running and schedule one-hour workouts a few days per week. Don’t even think about it! The best way to make exercise a habit is to start with mini workouts. Choose short workouts that are so simple and easy you can’t make excuses.
You could start by doing 5 minutes of walking on the treadmill, lifting 2-pound weights or doing 10 bodyweight squats. Your entire workout doesn’t need to be more than 10-15 minutes long in the beginning. These types of movements for short periods of time will help push past mental barriers and build muscle memory. Then you can start stepping up a level when you mentally and physically feel ready.
3. Focus on the habit first and results later.
It’s natural to focus on results when considering diet and exercise. Most people start with a goal, such as, “I want to lose 15 pounds in the next 3 months” or “I want to squat 40 pounds more six months from now.”
Rather than focusing on results in the beginning, focus on creating the habit first. What matters most is establishing a new normal and building a new routine you will stick to. Focus on completing your workouts and maintaining a schedule. Once you become someone who doesn’t miss workouts, you can start to focus on making progress and seeing specific results.
The good news is that you will see results regardless of how small your workouts are or how long it takes to make exercise a habit. Just be consistent and persistent — you’ll get there!
VTAS Fitness Centre is a state-of-the art facility with all the equipment you need to make exercise a habit. Learn more about membership, programs and equipment here: https://vtasfitnesscentre.com/.
