We all know exercise is good for the body. Several studies have proven that exercise brings many health benefits including lowering blood pressure, controlling blood sugar, helping to prevent cancer, and many more. Most people don’t exercise not because they don’t want to but because they find it hard to motivate themselves. Motivation is a key step to develop a habit of exercising. Here are easy steps to motivate yourself to get moving:
Write Down Your Schedule
With a schedule in hand, you’ll be forced to find time and avoid the most common excuse we’re all guilty of: “I have no time.” Design a weekly or even a monthly schedule and stick to it no matter what. Be flexible. If you have an early morning appointment, make sure you make up for lost time in the afternoon.
Be realistic with your schedule. Many people make the common mistake of trying to do too much too soon. This will only make you feel like a failure when you fall short. Start with modest goals that you’re sure you can accomplish, reaching your goals builds confidence to motivate you to move further.
Have Your Ultimate Goal in Mind
The health benefits of regular exercise may not be enough motivation for you. If so, you’ll want to establish a goal close to your heart. What’s the most important thing you’ll want to get out of your exercise? Maybe you’ll want to lose that beer gut, someday run a full marathon, or look better for the summer. Whatever it is, use it as your motivation for your activities.
Having that desired goal will make it easier to design an effective workout plan to prepare you physically and mentally for the challenges ahead. Planning a schedule will help motivate you to get to the next step whenever you feel like crashing out. Check out these Do’s and Don’ts to Reaching Your Fitness Goals for tips.
Make An Exercise Playlist
The right music can set the mood and motivate you to get moving, which you can read more about in How Important Is Your Fitness Music. Create a personal playlist with music you like to move to. Choose fast music with steady beat. This will provide the right rhythm when you go for a run or take your mind off the pain when you’re lifting some weights.
You can listen to your music even before you start exercising to psych yourself up and get an energy boost.
Get Better Sleep
You need two things for a better night sleep: get the right amount and sleep at the right time. A proper rest will make you feel well rested and energetic throughout the day, giving you the boost and motivation to face your exercise head-on. If you get tired and weary take a short nap (around 30 mins.) during the day and go to sleep an hour early at night.
The 10-Minute Rule
Starting your exercise is the most difficult part. When you’re feeling out of it, take your mind off of it and just take that first step, first jump, first jumping jack, whatever…just do anything to start your routine. Tell yourself that you only need to do a 10-minute exercise. When your ten minutes run out, you’ll be pumped up enough and will want to continue.
Motivation may be hard to come by, but it doesn’t mean you should give up right away. Fighting the urge to quit is a challenge in itself. Just make sure you are persist and you will soon find yourself actually wanting to exercise!
About the Author: Simon Bukai, who believes exercise is the key to living a healthy lifestyle, is the President of VISTA Health Solutions which strives to find affordable health insurance for individuals, small business owners and the self-employed. For more information visit: www.NYHealthInsurer.com
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