How to Stick to a Workout Program
Many workout programs fail because people lose the motivation to workout stay with their program. Sticking to it is much easier if you provide yourself with motivation and make your workout a habit. Doing your workout on a regular basis doesn't have to be hard or painful, but it does take some planning and patience.
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Instructions
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Find activities you like. You are far more likely to carry through on a workout program if you enjoy the activities. If you hate to run, don't force yourself to do it because you think it's the fastest way to lose weight. Chances are that you won't continue if you hate it. Instead, take a long term approach and find ways to exercise that you find fun and interesting (dance class, walking with friends or biking a nearby trail).
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Schedule your workouts in advance and stay dedicated to your schedule by making it a habit. Choose a time to exercise and don't let anything distract you from that date with the gym. When you completely dread doing your workout, promise yourself that you'll do at least ten minutes and then if you still feel like stopping, you can. More than likely, you'll continue.
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Train with a partner or personal trainer. Adding another person to the mix gives you more motivation and better accountability.
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Reward yourself for sticking with your workout program. Giving yourself an incentive makes you work harder and gives you greater motivation. Consider scheduling a massage, taking an active vacation or buy a new piece of equipment or clothing. You can also reward yourself during your workout by listening to audio books that you want to read or exercising in a favorite spot.
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Set a goal like registering for a race or beating a specific time. Your goals can be large or small, but working toward them will help keep you motivated.
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Change your workouts every month or two to avoid boredom. This is as simple as adding in new activities, changing the time or distance or learning a new sport. Try a new class at the gym, hike new trails or find a new training program online to try for a month.
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Take it slow and easy in the beginning. You don't want to get too sore which will zap your motivation to stick with it.
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Comments
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mikepedersen
Nov 29, 2010
The MOST important thing is to start with a realistic goal. If you have not been working out for a year, do not think you are all of a sudden going to work out 7 days a week. Not gonna happen! Start out conservatively so you can have incremental success to build on. Then as you prove to yourself you can do it, then and only then up the anty. -
jenng
May 12, 2010
great article on How to Stick to a Workout Program 5*
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advicegirl318
May 10, 2010
Great tips! motivation is the hardest part about getting into shape!
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Cameron Holmes
May 10, 2010
You're right! Its easy to stick to a work out plan that you really enjoy. I love walking, dance and yoga and it is something I look forward to doing daily. 5*
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Larry Fike
May 10, 2010
Nicely structured article. Starting is the hardest part. By that I mean, the first month, if you've become a couch potato. And the Call of the Mild will always remain.
