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5 Ways to Ensure You’ll Love Exercising

posted by ChickSpeak
Monday, September 6, 2010 at 3:59pm CDT

How often do you look at yourself, look at the mirror, the scale or other girls and decide you’re finally going to get into a work-out schedule? We all do it. How often have you set out on an exercise plan, only to watch it fade after a few trips to the gym or a few weeks into your routine? Whether it has been long time since you exercised last, or if you have never been a part of an organized sport, or fitness program, there are ways to approach working out that can greatly increase the chances of you returning to the gym tomorrow.According to the Department of Health and Human Services only three in every 10 American adults get the recommended amount of physical activity, and inactivity increases people’s odds of developing heart disease, diabetes, respiratory problems, some forms of cancer and sleep apnea among other health issues.

Therefore, it’s very important beyond just for physical appearance to find a way to stick to that exercise plan and in the meantime to find a way to love it!

Tip #1: Take it day-by day.

Be realistic with your goals and don’t build this exercise plan into a lifetime responsibility.Consider exercise in the short term, don’t pressure yourself by thinking of how you have to get into a routine “for the rest of your life,” “for the next six months,” or “for the next 20 pounds.” Take it day by day and find a way each day to be more active than you would be. If you miss an exercise find other ways to move that day, and then challenge yourself to turn it up a notch the next time you hit the gym.

Tip #2: For your first week of exercise, search for your physical limits but do not surge past them.

When starting a routine, oftentimes people either hit the gym ambitiously, “I’m going to run three miles,” Or, take it easy, “I’m just going walk lightly on the treadmill.” While walking is a great way to be active, challenge yourself. Turn up the incline on the treadmill, or mix in some jogging. It is important to challenge yourself so that you won’t be bored, but at the same time to listen to your body’s boundaries. Otherwise, you will wake up the next morning feeling like you didn’t get an exercise, or you won’t be able to get out of bed!

Tip #3: Adopt an active lifestyle.

Being active is more than just hitting the gym for 30 minutes five times a week, it’s taking the stairs when there is an elevator, getting off of the subway a stop early or volunteering to help your friend move on Saturday. Just get moving!

Tip #4: Search for new things to do.

One of the most popular reasons that people abandon an exercise regimen is boredom. Check out these fun and exciting new classes being offered around the country. Finding new ways to exercise each week not only saves you from a routine rut, it also works different parts of your body giving you more total fitness.

Tip #5: Keep track of your progress.

Celebrate the small successes, a week of full workouts, your longest period of cardio, the fact that stretch a bit further than before. Mark every exercise in your planner so that you see that you ran 30 minutes yesterday - you can do it today. This is just as fulfilling as marking a weight on the calendar, and just as empowering!

Keeping these tips in mind, you’ll be on your way to consistent exercise in no time. For a fun way to see how many calories you are burning, visit Shape.com’s Calorie Burn Tool. It takes the guess work out of that 30-minute Zumba class!