How to Make Exercise a Daily Habit

Written by: Taylor Post 
Certified Athletic Therapist 
Insahyu Training and Therapy

Habits, good and bad, form a massive part of our day. With a New Year fast approaching, many people want to know how to get motivated to exercise and make working out a daily habit. You already know the many benefits of exercising – from increased energy, improved mood and reducing your risk for a number of health issues. Of course, wanting to make exercise a daily habit and actually doing it are two completely different things. Changing your behaviour is hard and can be more of a mental battle than a physical one. 

Here are some simple strategies to help you make exercising a daily habit.

1. Set a time and stick to your schedule
Schedule when you are going to exercise based on the time of day that you are most likely to stick to your plan. Whether that is early in the morning, over your lunch break, or after work, just try your best to keep it consistent. This will help form the habit. Treat your workout as you would a work meeting or dentist appointment and at it on your calendar or phone as a reminder.

2. Lay out gear and pack your bag the night before
Make sure that you have everything that you will need for the gym laid out or packed before you go to bed every night. This includes your running shoes, workout clothes, headphones and water bottle. Whatever you can do to make getting up and ready for the day easier and smoother, the more likely you will be to get your workout done each day.

3. Start Small and Progress Later
When you first start exercising you will likely have a lot of energy and motivation, but pushing yourself too much to soon can lead to burnout and make you more likely to quit your habit. The key is to get started, move your body every day and form that pattern of behaviour. You might start by going to the gym for five minutes and that is great. Focus on the habit first and the results later. Once your body is used to daily exercise, you can start to increase the length and intensity of your workouts, and the results will be even more noticeable.

4. Make it enjoyable
If you can chose a form of exercise that you don’t absolutely dread you will be more likely to keep doing it consistently. If you hate running, don’t chain yourself to the treadmill. This could mean circuit training or a fun fitness class, take up swimming, yoga or even something as simple as walking outdoors.
You can also make exercising more enjoyable by giving yourself a reason to look forward to your workout, you can download new music to listen to, plan to watch your favourite show while running on the treadmill, invite a friend to join you at the gym or buy a new outfit to wear.

5. Exercise Even When You’re Too Tired
Chances are you will feel better after you exercise. Remember, it does not have to be the hardest workout of your life, but just going and doing a small workout will leave you feeling energized, refreshed and keep your new habit going strong.

6. Take a Relative Rest Day 
Recovery is very important and it is necessary to allow your body a chance to rest. However, you don’t always want to skip the day completely, because then you aren’t being consistent with your habit. Instead try to find an activity that allows for active recovery. For example, if you are strength training most days of the week, on your “rest day” could involve going for a walk, swim or bike ride. 

7. Be Kind to Yourself
Remember that you are human and it is likely that you will slip up from time to time while beginning your fitness journey. Life gets in the way and practical concerns like a busy schedule, family commitments and health problems can act as barriers to exercising each day. Do not get discouraged or punish yourself if you miss a workout.  It happens. However, try your best to reset as soon as possible and get back to your exercise routine as soon as possible, to maintain the habit.

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