How to Devise a Workout Plan You'll Stick to

Most people want to be in shape, but many find a workout plan tedious, boring, painful or too hard to stick to. It doesn’t need to be that way. You can easily devise a workout plan you’ll stick to that is actually fun and you’ll look forward to doing on a regular basis. Here’s how.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Equipment, classes (depends on exercise)
• Determination
• Chart for your fridge

1. Find your most workout friendly time. If you’re a morning person, plan to workout with the sunrise. If evenings give you the greatest energy, schedule your workout after work.
2. Figure out a workout type you’ll actually enjoy. Some swear by yoga, others enjoy pilates. Still others go gaga over lifting heavy weights while a few want to dress up in little leotards and dance aerobic. Figure out what type of workout appeals to you.
3. Invest in the proper equipment. This involves either joining a nearby gym, buying yourself a treadmill, weights, yoga props, running shoes or plunking down some cash for pilates or aerobic classes.
4. Begin at a level you can handle. If you are too exhausted to go past 10 minutes, you’re workout may be too advanced for you. Make it your goal to get to that level but don’t start at that level or you won’t even start at all.
5. Chart your progress with a plan stuck to your fridge. Draw up a big chart with the days of the week and that day’s workout plan noted. Make little check marks when the day’s workout is completed.

Tips & Warnings

• If you’ve never been properly trained for certain exercises, such as weightlifting or yoga, either train yourself with books or invest in classes or a personal training. Your results will be well worth it. Really.
• Getting a buddy to join you in a workout routine can be a great motivator. But it also can backfire if all she wants to do is chat up cute guys at the gym or is too lazy to meet you for pilates class on a regular basis.
• You're workout need not be elaborate. Something simple like walking for 20 minute sessions twice a day counts, too.
• Don’t try to be macho. Buying 150-pound weights when you know you can only lift 40 is just begging for injury. You are not impressing anyone, either.