A 4 Step Plan for Improving Your Life Through Exercise
In his most famous book Eat That Frog! author and motivational speaker Brian Tracy wrote the following line that many couch potatoes are sure to find relatable. “The hardest part of any important task is getting started on it in the first place. Once you actually begin work on a valuable task, you seem to be naturally motivated to continue.”
No one is going to deny that getting started on a workout routine can be challenging. Breaking the cycle of a sedentary lifestyle can be physically uncomfortable. Patterns of negative thinking, busy schedules, and “gymtimidation” only add to this difficulty. But having a concrete plan can help you overcome. Below, we have laid out a 4 point plan that anyone can follow.
1. Consider Your Long-Term Fitness Goals.
It’s time for some soul-searching: so ask yourself, what motivates you to begin working out? Common goals include losing weight, building muscle or competing in an athletic event such as a 5k. Once your goals are clear to you, it will be easier to do some more specific research regarding your working plan. The Top Fitness Magazine workout archives are a good place to get started.
2. Write Down a Thoughtful and Balanced Plan.
Committing your plan to paper does more than help you remember your day-to-day workout duties — it can also inspire you to hold yourself accountable. When you are crafting this plan, it is important to remember that balance matters. Even if your goals revolve around building great looking arms, for example, lower body workouts will help you reach this goal more effectively — and the same goes for doing strength workouts even if your biggest goal is running in a race.
3. Start Slowly and Build Upon Your Success.
Ambition is easy — following through on your ambitious plans, on the other hand, is extremely difficult. But if you start making progress, no matter how small, you can build on what you’ve done. Even if all you can muster at first is heading to the gym 3 times a week for half an hour, get out there and do it! Anything is better than nothing, especially when it comes to self-improvement.
4. Develop an Ongoing Plan for Personal Growth.
Maintaining consistency requires a multi-faceted support system that you must build yourself. Education is one component that matters: if you continue learning about new workouts, better methods, and the benefits of working out, you’re more likely to continue even when things get tough. Another pillar of consistency is social support: finding workout partners and/or participating in an online community of fitness enthusiasts will also help keep you inspired. Last but not least, you should constantly reevaluate your workout plan to make it more challenging, interesting, and fulfilling.
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