Many people love the idea of exercising but struggle to get started. There can be a vast distance between the relaxation of watching Netflix or iPhone doom scrolling on the couch, and starting a sustainable exercise routine. This article explores a few essential tips and tricks for getting started.
I am a person that not sit well. In the old days, I would have been labeled “type-A,” but in today’s terms, I am considered to be a bit anxious. (The former always sounded better to me😊.) While my personality has many downsides, the inclination to exercise is a blessing. You can stop reading this article if you are in this camp and already have a three- to five-day-per-week exercise routine.
How to Get Started
If you want to exercise but always find the motivation to be a struggle, don’t worry. You are most of the population. So, how do you overcome your body's natural inclination towards comfort so that you can start some form of exercise and then make it a routine? Below are some tips and tricks I have observed with friends and family over the years that might help.
Find an Activity You Enjoy – It is not realistic to start an activity you don’t enjoy and then expect to continue it. For example, I run regularly, but running is generally not an acquired taste. Most people hate it. If you try it and hate it, do not worry because there are so many other choices. Walking with a friend could be a much better choice. Pickleball is also an easy place to start for many. It is a social sport that allows people to move, compete, develop hand-eye coordination, and raise their heart rate. I have seen people get hooked on it, thriving in a healthy activity.
There are also plenty of different group workout routines, each a bit different. Boot camp, Pilates, and yoga are great routines but have unique aspects that might appeal to one person but not another. So, try a few until you find one if you need to. Also, if you have limited physical conditions, be sure to explore activities that are not limited by this.
Try Different Venues or Instructors- My wife recently fell in love with Pilates. Sometimes, her most frequent phrase is, “I love my Pilates.” However, she had to try several different locations, instructors, and groups before she was hooked. So, don’t be discouraged; keep exploring new possibilities and chatting with friends about the places and instructors they like.
Find the Right Time of the Day – The hour or two after I am fully caffeinated in the morning is my ideal time to exercise. I am a morning person, and my day gets busier after that. Also, as I age (58), I find my energy level lower later in the day. But this might not work for you if you are not a morning person. Your right time might be later, around lunch, or after the kids are dropped off at school. You might be a night owl, and your energy peaks after dinner. Whatever your sweet spot of the day is, be aware and do your best to capitalize on it.
Accountability – One of the strongest motivators for developing a routine is accountability. Whether it be a scheduled group class, an exercise partner, or a group, this accountability motivates you to show up or not let someone down. This could be a running/walking partner or a tennis/pickleball group that plays regularly. With scheduled classes, there is the benefit of having it on your calendar and having “skin in the game” by paying for the class and the motivation of not wasting money.
Couple Exercise with Health Goals – Anyone who has tracked burned calories on their fitness watch knows how much work it takes to burn 300 calories and how easy it is to eat 300 calories. Sometimes, it just doesn’t seem fair. However, exercise and a health goal like weight loss can go hand in hand. The effort to shed pounds focuses on burning more calories than you take in. Combining the calorie burn of exercise with an awareness of calorie intake can be very effective toward a weight loss goal. I have seen people succeed with calorie-tracking apps that don’t create an unrealistic diet framework but allow them to track their calorie intake while increasing their knowledge of food choices. This, combined with an exercise routine, can add a tailwind to weight loss progress and create a change in daily habits. It will progress more slowly towards a weight goal but also be far more sustainable than a one-time, short-time frame diet or weight loss drug that will likely lead to a rebound in weight in the future.
Starting and maintaining an exercise routine can be challenging. But remember to make it as achievable as possible. Start with something and explore until you find the right one and the right setting for you. Once you find the proper routine, you will stand a better chance of sustaining it and developing a healthier lifestyle.
Good luck. Remember that life is a marathon and not a sprint!
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