Try early morning workouts
This is coming from someone who is NOT a morning person. I despise getting up early, but I love having my workout done with in the AM and I love the energy and endorphins I get from an early morning exercise session.
This doesn’t mean that I workout every morning (even though I would love to). I’m still awful at getting up in the AM, so I usually schedule an early morning run and if I’m weight training, I will do that in the afternoon. This way I am able to concentrate more on my workout.
You will love getting your workout done early to improve your mood during the day and free up your evenings to spend time wtih family or do other hobbies you enjoy.
Make it routine
You most likely won’t love exercise during the first month… or even second. You need to commit to exercising and give your body a chance to catch up. Try out different workouts and see what works best for your schedule. They say it takes about 6 weeks to create a habit – so don’t give up if you aren’t in love with exercising after a few days.
Find a routine that works for you and stick to it. Maybe you find working out during lunch is your best chance to workout, or you bring your workout clothes to the office and go straight to the office after work (or else you won’t make it out again). Go into work 30 min early, so you can leave 30 min early. Use these first few weeks to figure out what your routine is and then don’t let yourself skip a workout!
Make it fun
Working out shouldn’t be a chore. If you hate running – try cycling. If you don’t like working out in a group – don’t sign up for a group class, or vice versa if you can’t motivate yourself to workout – find a buddy that will ensure you make it to the gym. Sign up for a sports team, join a local club or hire a trainer that will vary your workouts, but whatever you do, make sure you enjoy it.
Once exercise becomes work, you’ll start skipping workouts and dreading the 60 min you have to
Hire a trainer
Ok, I’m biased, but I’ve worked with clients and seen first hand how they have started out unmotivated and a few months in, refuse to skip a workout. A trainer will make sure your workouts are interesting and continually progressing so you see results. They give you someone to talk to during your workout if you hate working out alone and they make sure you don’t skip a workout because you always have a set appointment with them. They will make suggestions about upcoming community runs to get involved in – and might even run a fun run with you! Find a trainer that wants to keep you engaged in your health and fitness and isn’t just there putting in the time!
Don’t Overdo it
The easiest way to kill a good habit is by overdoing it. Listen to your body and give yourself a break. In order for this to become sustainable in your lifestyle you have to make sure you are taking care of your body through good nutrition, stretching and proper rest. Without working in stretching and rest days in to your exercise routine you are more prone to injury which is another great way to lose your love of exercise.
If you go into an exercise plan with a crazy weight loss goal, or unattainable fitness goal you will quickly get overwhelmed. When you are starting out, simply exercise to get your heart pumping and endorphins racing. Exercise to exercise, not to win the next body competition – those goals can come later.
Make it your ‘ME time’
At work you are surrounded by your boss and co workers, at home you are taking care of your family, my best tip to fall in love with exercise is to make your workouts your ME time. Get a good playlist on your i pod and zone out for an hour. Exercise is my stress release after a bad day. It let’s me clear my head and take a step away from everything and just be in my thoughts. I have gotten some of my best thinking done during my workouts. Sometimes I will even bring a notepad and paper with me to jot down the ideas that come to me during my workouts.
Instead of stress-eating or stress-drinking … I always suggest to exercise after a long day and release the tension that has worked up! After your workout, you will be better able to take care of your family and deal with the stress at work because you made time for yourself.