One thing is certain when you’re considering starting an exercise plan, you must be doing it for yourself and not for someone else.
It is also important to consider all the changes you’re about to make as lifestyle changes, you want to commit to a healthier life, not a quick fix.
Getting Motivated
A health scare, particularly something like diabetes is often enough to get you thinking about your health and ways you can improve it. In fact, knowing someone with a health scare is often all it takes to give you the motivation to take more care of your body.
However, motivation is fantastic at getting you started, but a habit is what will keep you going and ensure your exercise plan and a healthy lifestyle is one that will last. That’s why you need these tips.
Tips To Get You Started
There are several things you can do to make sure you actually start your workout plan:
- Get A Friend
Committing to meeting a friend for exercise makes it much harder to find an excuse and back out. Your friend will be counting on you and, providing they are similarly motivated, they will turn up for you.
Being accountable to someone will make your turn up and get started.
- Schedule It
You can’t build an exercise plan with loose promises. You need to commit to a day and time. These should be written into your schedule in the same way that a doctor’s appointment or similar is.
This will ensure you keep the time free and make it harder to opt-out.
Don’t forget, most of the time you’ll actually enjoy the exercise, it’s the thought of doing it that puts you off!
- Start Small
If you haven’t exercised in a while then there is no shame in starting small. Block out 30 minutes a day but take your time warming up and getting ready. If you actually exercise for just 5 minutes it’s a start and will lead to longer sessions.
Starting small makes it easier to commit and less likely you’ll injure yourself. You can gradually increase your time exercising until you’re doing at least 30 minutes 5 days a week.
- Make It Fun
Exercise should be fun, looking forward to it will make it much easier to keep doing it. Don’t forget that anything that gets your heart racing is exercise. It can be swimming, cycling, jogging, badminton, volleyball, literally anything you want!
By choosing an activity you both enjoy you’re much less likely to give up.
- A Little Competition
It’s a good idea to create a little competition. This can be weight loss orientated, distance related, or even attendance regulated. By making it a little competition between you and your friend you’ll find that you both push yourself a little harder.
You can also join a support group to share your results, this accountability will make sure you stick to your new exercise plan.
