Kristy CrowleyCan you maintain your fitness routine when your motivation starts to slip?
Transport yourself back to when you were a child. What activities did you like? Was it hide-and-seek or kickball? Your eight-year-old self probably took part in fitness every single day without even realizing it. Back then, it was playful and fun. Somewhere along the way, we’ve lost that playfulness.
As adults, we constantly think about how to get or stay fit, which takes the fun out of it. We may start out strong but encounter a huge problem along the way—maintaining it! Most of us know we should do more, but how do we maintain an exercise routine when our motivation has taken a nose-dive? Try these three expert tips to maintain your fitness routine when life gets in the way.
#1 Make Exercise a Game
Again, think back to your childhood. Remember when you turned everything into a game? You ran, jumped, climbed and swung your arms—not because you were “trying to get fit”—because you were having an absolute blast! Your imagination and creativity were bountiful and endless!
As an adult, these same activities can often feel like chores. The good news is they don’t have to. Exercise is as fun as you make it. So, pump up the jam and dance around your living room, set up an obstacle course in your backyard, go rock climbing, toss a Frisbee or play hide-and-seek with your children. Get back to thinking like a kid and make exercise fun again. Burning calories doesn’t have to involve mindlessly running on a treadmill. Be creative!
#2 Do Things You Like
If you absolutely hate running, don’t do it. There are so many other activities to choose from—biking, walking, hiking, roller skating, etc. If you’re struggling to find anything you like, keep experimenting until you do. Think about all the activities that bring you joy and find their counterparts in the exercise world.
Love to dance? Pirouette your way to fit with popular ballet-inspired barre classes. Or, maybe you love heart-pumping music, high-energy cardio moves or core-crushing abdominal workouts. Not sure? Try a variety of classes until you find what moves you!
Apps like Gymondo offer a wide variety of workout programs for every fitness level and personal preference. From HIIT to core, cardio, yoga, barre, pilates and strength training, you’ll find something you love and be more likely to maintain a fitness routine.
#3 Make Working Out Convenient
It’s not the workout that takes so much time—it’s getting there. Between packing your gym bag, commuting and changing into your workout gear, it can take up more time than you had initially anticipated. No wonder people struggle to maintain their workout routine.
However, making exercise convenient can help you stick with your fitness plan. By the time it would take you to drive to the gym, you’d already be done with a Gymondo workout from the comfort of your own living room.
Takeaway
Having a positive attitude when it comes to working out is key to maintaining your fitness routine and reaching your goals. And if you find yourself struggling to get motivated, transport yourself back to when you were a child. Find fun and playful activities that you’ll look forward to day after day. This is vital in your quest to form healthy, life-long habits. Keep reminding yourself why you’re doing this—to better your mind, body and overall well-being. Reward yourself with the positive feelings and health benefits that exercise provides. You deserve it!
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