We all know the benefits of regular exercise, but most people still have trouble making it a habit. This is due to laziness or lack of discipline. In any case, it is more challenging to form good habits than bad ones, because there is no immediate satisfaction and joy in them. If you are not consistent with your fitness routine even after a lot of efforts, then you are not alone. Staying fit, exercising regularly or losing weight has more to do with the mind than the body. Our brain has the ability to create new neural pathways. It takes 30 days for this. It is also important to remember that our brain likes success. Initially, instead of exercising every day or five days a week, aim to exercise three days and also keep the duration of the exercise short. When you succeed in this goal, then increase the days and time. Some more mental tricks like this will help you achieve the goal of regular exercise:
Start with a mini workout
In the beginning, take out only 5 minutes for workout, not 20-30 minutes. Most people make excuses of lack of time for not exercising. Do stretching or crunches while watching TV. Do squats while folding clothes. Or take out 5 minutes and take a walk in the office or home. When this routine of yours is set, then gradually increase the exercise time by five minutes at a time and bring it to 20-30 minutes.
No excuses will work
You slept late at night and woke up late in the morning, so you could not do your workout or you are feeling tired, so you want to rest for a while. If you have not been able to go to the gym, do not give up the habit of exercising and climb up and down the stairs ten times. If you have a pet, take it for a walk in the evening.
Bring variety to your exercise
People get bored doing the same exercises everyday. If the same is the case with you then try some experiments. Apart from running, swimming, cycling, you can also do physical activities like Zumba, hiking, martial arts, yoga, boxing. Just going to the gym and sweating is not a workout, every physical activity that increases your heart rate, breathing rate and blood circulation is a workout.
Become a long race horse
Most people show a lot of enthusiasm in the beginning and even prepare diet plans and weight loss plans. But, within a few days they go back to their previous routine and diet. A study conducted at Stanford University in 2023 revealed that the most common resolution of people on the new year was to exercise every day. But most people gave up on it within a month. Do not expect too much from yourself, because when you put too much pressure on yourself, it becomes difficult to succeed. Choose a time and duration for exercise when you can exercise without any trouble. Start slow, but maintain consistency.
Choose activities that bring joy
If you don’t like something, you will not be able to succeed in it no matter how determined you are. Choose activities in which you can engage your mind and body in a better way. Don’t choose a workout based on what your friend or family member is doing. The exercise that is giving good results for one may not necessarily give the same results for another. If you are not enjoying an exercise, do another one. The exercise that was effective in reducing weight at the age of 30 will not work at the age of 50.
Make exercise fun
If you feel bored while working out, then mix it with something that you like. Like, listen to your favorite podcast, TV show, audio book or music while working out. This will save your time and you will not feel bored while working out.
