Last Updated on February 10, 2021 by Jeff
Work schedules get crazy. The kids have so many places to be. And don’t even begin to mention family, hobbies, or any of the other factors that can drain your time and energy! All that being said, setting aside space for your workout schedule is crucial for your overall well-being. And when it comes to getting results from your workout efforts, consistency might be the single most important driving factor in long-term success.
So if you’re looking to achieve more consistency in your workout program, check out these eight tips and try to implement the ones that are most relevant to you.
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Start small.
Even as little as fifteen to thirty minutes of exercise daily can make a big difference in your health. And getting into the habit of exercising regularly is usually the biggest hurdle in the way of becoming healthier. So if you have to start small, start small — passing yourself too hard at the outset can be frustrating or even dangerous anyway. Go at your own speed, and leave room for improvement over time.
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Establish a routine.
For anyone with the option of working out at the same time each day, we highly recommend doing so. Establishing a routine around your exercise will help you remember your program and make time for it.
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Get inspired.
What motivates you? Some people aim to get healthier in order to feel better, others strive to live longer, while others simply enjoy physically-demanding hobbies. Still others get fit to be better role models for their kids! Keeping your motivation in mind — or even writing out down — can help you overcome the desire to stay in bed instead of heading out for that early morning run.
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Knowledge is power.
Congratulations — the mere fact that you are reading this article is a good sign! Educating yourself about health, wellness, and fitness is a great way to make healthier choices while staying extra motivated.
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Cultivate a healthy lifestyle.
Staying up till two AM binging Netflix, going overboard on fast food, and/or having a few too many cold ones are all surefire ways of missing your workout tomorrow morning. Make healthy choices in all aspects of your life, not just in the gym.
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Find a workout partner or two.
Staying accountable to your workout buddies is easier than staying accountable to yourself. (Plus it’s a lot more fun, too!)
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Set goals.
Work on improving your max lifts. Sign up for that 10 K race next month. Make a commitment to finally lose those extra ten pounds you’ve been carrying around all these years. Setting clear, achievable goals is one of the best ways to optimize both your results and your enjoyment of the process itself.
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Rest up.
Last but not least, it’s important to take your rest days seriously — this will help you come back stronger and healthier for your next workout, while allowing your muscles, joints, and tendons the time they need to heal effectively.
If there is one thing you should take away from this article, it is that consistency isn’t an accident – in fact, it is not even merely a result of willpower. Consistency is a consequence of all the choices that you make in your life. And that is good news, because it means that every good choice will make more good choices easier.