Heading to the gym is not as difficult as some make it out to be. You can join a gym and start lifting weights right away. However,following a workout consistently requires a lot of dedication as you have to leave your comfort zone and head to the gym.
Even if you decide to workout at home, you will feel lazy to get off the bed, put on your workout clothes, and exercise. Consistency is important to make a change and quickly achieve your fitness goals. Some people are diligent, consistent, and reliable. They can exercise for months without any difficulty. But, others need a daily push to exercise.
If you are looking for ways to workout consistently, then you are in the right place. Continue reading for our best nine tips for consistency.
How to Workout Consistently
Here is a list of techniques you should follow to create a workout routine:
1. Choose the Same Time
Choosing the right time for workout sessions is a key to success. When you have time in mind, you can easily stay ready to workout. To bring consistency, you have to include the sessions in your daily routine. When choosing the time you have to be realistic. Don’t adjust chunks of time between strenuous activities because it gets easier to miss out on the routine.
For instance, you choose 9 am for a workout after the children are off for school and you are less busy. Once you choose the time, commit to it. At least follow this time for a couple of weeks to make it a habit.
2. Set Triggers
A trigger can help you get off the bed and workout. This works similar to brushing your teeth after breakfast. Find a perfect trigger that alerts your brain that it’s time to head to the gym. A morning alarm can be a perfect trigger. When the alarm goes off, you start exercising. Or perhaps you can exercise after putting your children to bed.
Triggers are important to create a routine, especially when you have a demanding exercise. But, you should follow the trigger with consistency.
3. Keep Your Fitness Clothes Ready
You will feel motivated when you wake up in the morning and your workout clothes are on the chair next to your bed. All you need to do is change your clothes and head to the gym. Once you put on the clothes and start with some pushups, there is no going back.
Most times we skip the gym because searching for clothes in the closet seems like the toughest job early in the morning. Also, you can sleep in workout clothes, so when you wake up you are already geared up.
4. Select a Workout Location
Choosing the location for a workout can be a trigger as well. Whenever you walk through that section of the home, you will remember to workout. Keeping everything in place such as workout accessories will put you in a mood to exercise.
Keep in mind that the location should be away from all the distractions. Seeing dirty dishes in the kitchen during pushups will put you down. So choose the location wisely. Also, you can join a gym in the neighborhood. So, when you drive through the gym on your way home from work, you remember to exercise.
5. Manage Sleep Cycle
If you have no schedule to sleep and wake up, you will struggle to workout. Following a consistent sleep pattern,every day will keep you on the right track and everything will flow naturally. When you complete your nighttime sleep, you will feel the energy in the morning. So, choosing a wake-up time makes it easier to exercise every day.
6. Create a Workout Plan
A workout plan will support you to achieve fitness goals. It helps with accountability, consistency, and gives an overview. Also, when you check your workout plan in the morning, you will feel motivated. While starting, you should follow easy to track and readily accessible plan. Easy exercises bring consistency to your workout routine.
Creating a workout plan isn’t difficult. There are numerous YouTube videos and blogs on the internet. Select exercises from different sources and create a personalized one for you.
7. Choose One Fitness Goal Every Day
Do you keep a notebook beside your bed and write down your thoughts first thing in the morning? If you never had a morning journal, you should get one. When you wake up, write one goal to complete during the day. Keep in mind you don’t have to create a list of goals. A single goal each day will do the job.
The goal should be achievable and easy such as 50 pushups to accomplish today before 9 am. You have to check the journal every day and night to know your goals. Making small wins every day will boost the results.
8. Track Your Progress
You can buy a printable workout calendar to mark daily progress. A planner journal might help too. You can add a big “X” after exercising that day. When the month ends, you can check the progress and fix problems. If you are skipping days between workout sessions you should identify and fix the problems.That way you can account for yourself.
9. Choose Enjoyable Workout
Do you feel exhausted after the workout session? Is it hard to wake up in the morning the next day? If yes, then you are going way out of your comfort zone. You are following a routine that is not meant for you, at least for the time being. You should look for a workout program according to your fitness level and goal. Also, you can make your workout fun and entertaining.
Conclusion
Always try ways to stay motivated and workout consistently. Make your workout sessions achievable and enjoyable. If you have a friend, ask them to join you for the sessions. You can easily distract yourself when you exercise alone. But, collaborating with a friend will keep you in tempo.
Also, you can consult an instructor for motivation. Once you create a personalized workout routine, you should consistently stick to it.The above-mentioned tips are effective to bring workout consistency.