One of the most difficult steps to making a significant change in your life is realizing you need to step up your game and exercise more. You may be asking how you can encourage yourself to exercise when you simply don’t like exercise, whether you’ve avoided exercise for years or your busy schedule has made you lazier than you’d like. You’ll be relieved to discover that it’s not difficult, and that with these simple suggestions and tactics, you’ll be exercising once more and feeling fitter and more amazing than ever.
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Place motivational images around your home
It’s all too easy to promise yourself that you’ll “exercise tomorrow” and then fall back into your old habits of not exercising at all. Find a photograph of yourself that you’d like to aim for fitness or weight wise, or a photo of an outfit you’d like to wear, and hang it about your house to provide you with regular doses of inspiration. The fridge, the snack drawer, and even your mirror as you get ready in the morning will serve as regular reminders that you need to exercise more.
Find a sport that you actually enjoy
Simply put, you will never stick to something unless you enjoy it, and you will soon find excuses and methods to get out of it. Do you have a favorite sport to watch? Do you excel at a specific sport? Have you ever been a member of a team, such as a women’s rugby team, that you’d like to rejoin? If that’s the case, what’s holding you back? Join a sport that you enjoy to increase your chances of sticking with it and reaching your fitness objectives! It’s important to remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day, and it will take some time for you to see noticeable results. You may be wondering how long it takes to get ripped? Simply put, the more effort you put in, the faster you’ll see results.
Workout with a friend
Working out by yourself can be unpleasant, especially if your favorite TV show is on and you’d rather be watching it. Including a friend will help you stay motivated not just when it comes to exercise, but also when it comes to the food you eat! You can also act as a crutch for your friend, ensuring that they stick to their goals by eating healthy and exercising on a regular basis.
Buy workout gear
One of the most common excuses is that “I have nothing to wear to exercise in.” By getting some workout gear, you can eliminate the possibility of utilizing that excuse. To get the most out of your workouts, you’ll need trainers, a sports bra (if you’re a woman), comfy leggings and tee, and other items like a resistance band. Once you have the equipment, you will be more driven to exercise and put it to use.
Start small and keep at it
If you’ve been putting it off for a while, the key is to just start small. You don’t need to throw yourself into a full-on routine right away. Go for a short walk, do a few stretches, or follow a ten-minute video online. The main thing is getting yourself moving again. Once you start, it gets easier to add more. The small things are what make it stick.
Look for workout classes
If you struggle to stay motivated on your own, search for “workout classes near me” and join something that sounds fun. You don’t have to lift weights or run miles to get fit. It could be a dance class, spin, yoga, or even boxing. Group energy really helps, and you’ll meet people who are doing the same thing you are. It feels less like a chore when you’ve got others around you and a trainer pushing you in the right way.
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Make it part of your day
Exercise doesn’t have to be an all-out gym session. If you’re busy, fit small things into your routine. Take the stairs instead of the lift, walk to the shop instead of driving, or clean the house like you’re racing the clock. It might sound silly, but it all adds up. The goal is to move more every day, not to spend hours training.
Reward yourself when you stick to it
Sometimes you need a little motivation to keep going, and that’s fine. If you’ve managed a full week of sticking to your plan, treat yourself to something nice. Buy yourself something new, have a night in with your favourite food, or just take a proper rest day. Little rewards keep it enjoyable, and you’ll actually look forward to finishing each week strong.
Don’t compare yourself to others
It’s easy to look at other people and think they’re miles ahead, but everyone starts somewhere. Focus on your own progress. The only person you need to be better than is who you were last month. If you stick to that mindset, it takes the pressure off and helps you stay consistent without feeling like you’re behind.
Sleep and recovery count too
Your body needs rest to recover, so don’t underestimate the importance of sleep. If you’re tired, your workouts will feel twice as hard. Make sure you’re getting enough rest and giving your body a chance to repair. You’ll feel stronger and more motivated when you’re not running on empty.
Mix it up
Doing the same thing every day can get boring fast. Try different workouts until you find a few you like. Maybe one day you go for a jog, another day you do yoga or swim. Changing it up keeps things fresh and makes you look forward to it rather than dreading it.
Remember why you started
There will be days when you don’t want to do it. That’s normal. When that happens, think about why you started in the first place. Whether it’s to feel better, have more energy, or just take care of yourself, remind yourself what made you want it. That’s what gets you back up and moving again.
When you look back in a few months and realise how far you’ve come, it’ll be worth every bit of effort. You don’t need to be perfect, you just need to keep showing up. Little steps every day turn into big results before you even realise it.
