Get The Exercise Habit

By Robin Westen

Everyone knows exercise is crucial to health and wellbeing, but even the best of us may not feeling like moving a muscle because we’re too tired, bored, or just so harried we can’t get our mojo moving. The good news? There are proven strategies to counteract our excuses.

Set A Goal

Don’t tell yourself you’re going to be walking three miles every morning or biking 15 miles on the stationary bike, no matter what. Keep it realistic. Begin by setting a time twice or three times a week. If you’ve got that managed and you want more – you can always add on.

Give Yourself A Treat You’ve been sticking to your exercise schedule for at least a month? Well, you deserve a reward. Buy new workout clothes, sneakers, a new water bottle or some special equipment like a pedometer. Hint: Don’t make food a reward.

Get A Buddy To Go Along Countless studies show sharing your exercise routine with a friend keeps you on track because you support each other. Just be sure neither sabotages the other if you’re not in the mood.

Go Online Find a fitness site and make it part of your day to check on-line for any new exercise tips. Or subscribe to a fitness magazine, so your encouragement comes regularly in the mail.

Be Competitive Sign up for a race, or even a class in which you can measure yourself again st others, like a Zumba session. Do it in whatever activity you enjoy most, whether it’s running, biking, walking, playing tennis, or swimming. You might consider doing it for charity as an added incentive.

Try Something New If you’re getting tired of walking or biking, try something different like swimming or Pilates. Adding variety increases the chance that you’ll stick to an exercise plan.

Forgive Yourself Just like in dieting, one day of indulging in fattening foods doesn’t mean your diet is a disaster. If you miss your goal of exercising daily, it’s not over. Just get back on board the next day and put in your exercise time.

Incorporate Exercise Into Your Day Even if you can’t manage your usual exercise activity, take the stairs instead of the elevator, go bowling instead of to the movies, or make it a day to do vigorous housekeeping chores.