Get out of your exercise rut by jumpstarting any exercise routine! Just get started already! The hardest thing to do when you're in a rut is to get started again. So, you can’t procrastinate or you’ll never start exercising again! There will always be a reason not to start exercising! But, there are no excuses!
Start with some fun exercise activity! If you like bikes, then start riding your bike every day for 20-30 minutes. It’s just that easy! Get active again and your body will feel better! Get your doctor's clearance if you've been inactive for a while.
You might need to get an exercise partner to help you get started exercising again. Research proves that you will be more successful if you have an exercise partner.
When you start exercising again, you will need to do more than cardio exercise! You must do more than cardio exercise to change your body composition! Make a commitment to full-body strength training! Among other things, it builds muscle mass, speeds up your metabolism (the body has to work harder to maintain muscle) and helps improve your bone density. And, you’ll look lean and toned!
You don’t need a gym membership to start exercising again! There’s time during the day to get in your exercise. You probably have very little time to waste, so here are some tips to jumpstart your exercise:
1. Pack up your gym bag, dumbbells, medicine ball, swiss ball and be ready to exercise where you are that day. All it takes is 20-30 minutes to get in a great workout!
2. Keep your walking/running shoes with you! Walk as much as possible during the day! Take advantage of every opportunity to walk. This one tip should be used all the time. It makes a huge difference in your fitness and helps give you an active lifestyle. All movement burns calories!
3. Exercise during your kid's practices. Why sit around for 1-2 hours watching kids practice? Take advantage of the time and walk or jog.
4. Take advantage of running trails in your neighborhood or city. Many times when I'm crazy busy, I stop at one of the many running trails or hike/bike trails to get in 20-30 minutes of running.
5. Jump rope! You can jump rope anywhere and it burns fat and calories like crazy!
6. If you coach a youth sports team, show up 30 minutes early and get in a good workout before practice. I often workout before my client training sessions. That way, my workout is done and I can go home when the client session is over.
7. If you are a television watcher, do a workout during your favorite program. Or get an exercise video to help you workout at home.
8. Do salsa dancing, belly dancing or whatever dancing you like! And, music makes exercise more fun!
9. Try a charity walk or run.
10. Try a group exercise class like kickboxing for fun and support.
No matter how much you enjoy exercise, you still need something else to "keep it going." Determination (perseverance)! It is the mentality that nothing is going to keep you from starting your exercise program and reaching your fitness goals.
Be creative and just get started moving, exercising and starting a good health habit again!
Mark Dilworth, Certified Personal Trainer
Her Fitness Hut http://herfitnesshut.com