When it comes to Fitness and Weight Training, knowing your basics only goes so far – what really starts becoming critical is consistency. Human beings generally have a tendency to switch off from routine and monotony, in the hopes of finding something that may be more engaging, or different. Consistency, or the means of staying on track, can be a difficult mistress to keep. But its rewards are tremendous. Here are a few hacks I have devised which should help you in keeping your goals in line and reaching them without the distractions in the way.
1. CHANGE YOUR PERSPECTIVE
Shift your thinking from couch potato mentality to thinking like an athlete. This may sound like a big challenge, but it’s not as big a leap as you think.
If you are working and don’t find the time, start thinking workouts at odd hours as a blessing rather than a sacrifice. Find inspiration in others — looking outward for extra motivation. Take inspiration from everyone you meet — even people who can’t be physically active. . It reinforces the thought that ‘I’m lucky – I can do this’. Whether you need to put an “I’m lucky” sticky note on the mirror, or you can see the power of health in your children’s eyes, committing to a fitness routine begins in your head.
2. SET A GOAL
There’s nothing more motivating than that first 5K looming in bold letters on the calendar. Register early and commit to an exercise program that will get you in shape by race day.
Set realistic goals that include clear milestones, and as you progress toward your goal, you’ll find a ripple effect occurs and things fall into place in your work, home life,, and health.
The goal doesn’t even have to be an organized race. Maybe it’s a mission to fit into that bikini by the annual beach vacation or that old pair of jeans buried in your closet.
3. SCHEDULE A REGULAR WORKOUT TIME
Some of the most committed exercisers do it every day before the sun comes up or late at night when the kids are in bed. Sit down with your weekly schedule and try to build in an hour each day to be good to your body.
If you convince yourself you’ll fit in a workout some time after that last meeting, once the kids go down for a nap or when your spouse arrives home on time, failure is certain. Chances are a last-minute invitation will come along. Write your workout on your calendar, set up daycare, and rearrange things around this one hour as if it were any other important appointment you have to keep. Or use technology like daily e-mail reminders, workout journaling websites, or apps to keep you on task, try out the Kount App.
4. THINK FUN AND VARIETY
By nature, humans need change and variety to stay motivated. We also need to have fun — even while we’re working hard. Do both!
Make sure you include activities you truly enjoy and look forward to doing, and can even make you forget you’re working out — like dancing, hula hooping, or playing sports with family and friends.
Listen to your inner voice when choosing the best workout for you. Maybe you find a hip-hop class that satisfies your passion for dance.
Workout variety also challenges your body in unique ways, which may introduce you to new muscle groups you didn’t even know you had.
5. REACH OUT TO OTHERS FOR SUPPORT
In fitness, some tend to have trouble asking for help. Yet in order to stick to a fitness program, we need buy-in and encouragement from other people.
Find a friend with a shared zest for running, and planning scheduled workouts together. It’s easy to hit the snooze button when it’s just you, but much harder to leave a friend waiting at the track.
Consider joining a social networking site or online community with fitness trainers and nutrition experts — and support from other people trying to lose weight and maintain healthy eating and exercise routines. People who get this kind of online support are proven to lose up to three times more weight than people going it alone.
With these hacks, you’ll be setting yourself up for a lifetime of better health, more happiness, and more energy for everything else in your life.