Sticking to a new workout routine takes self-discipline and a determination to reach your goal of starting it in the first place! You may be familiar with the concept that it takes 21 days of solid commitment to creating a new habit. This could apply to your exercising too and that alone could seem pretty daunting!
But, there are ways of doing it to keep you on track until it becomes naturally part of your daily life. Signing up for group fitness classes is a good place to start or consider hiring your own personal trainer.
But what will work for you?
Let’s take a look at some of the best approaches you can take for sticking to your exercise programme while achieving your ultimate fitness goal!
5 Motivational Ways to Stick to Your New Workout Routine
1. Join a Local Group Fitness Class
One of the best ways to motivate yourself when starting a new fitness workout is to join in with others on a similar path to you. Getting support from like-minded people is empowering and you can motivate each other through the difficult stages. Working as a group also motivates you to try harder when someone else is doing better than you!
When starting a new workout routine, exercising as a unit also has the following benefits:
- Improved mental health
- Better social engagement and community connections
- It’s a fun gathering
2. Hire a Personal Trainer
Hiring a personal trainer is a good strategy if you’re battling to stick to the first 21 days of your new workout programme. A personal trainer can help you plan the right fitness routine that suits your needs while setting realistic goals that are achievable. But, most of all, they’ll hold you accountable for sticking to your exercise programme.
A personal trainer will show you how to maximise your time, getting the best results for your body. They understand your personal requirements while offering customisable solutions with a programme tailored specifically for you. A custom programme has a better chance of giving good outcomes and that will keep you motivated.
Personal trainers put you first, creating consistency while building your confidence.
3. Be Specific About Your Fitness Goal
Knowing why you want to start a workout in the first place is important if you want to succeed in achieving your fitness goal. Writing down the specifics and reading it every day will remind you why you wanted to implement a workout routine. Some of the reasons could be to:
- Lose weight
- Improve the tone of your body
- Strengthen your core muscles
- Increase your energy levels
- Improve bone health
- Better overall wellbeing
Knowing the specifics helps you to also make a list of action steps that seem less daunting than one big milestone to achieve.
When writing a goal, use the SMART criterion:
- Specific
- Measurable
- Achievable
- Results-focused
- Timeline
A well-planned, clear fitness goal will motivate you to stick to your workout routine.
4. Find the Right Workout and Enjoy It
There’s no point in forcing yourself to start jogging when the thought of pounding the streets every morning makes you want to hide under your duvet! Finding the right exercise is important if you want to stick to it and have fun while you’re at it. For example, picking a fitness class that offers a variety of exercises may suit you better than getting up at the crack of dawn for a fast walk around the neighbourhood.
When picking a workout, also keep in mind your personal needs. If you want to improve your bone health, weight-bearing exercises will be better. Swimming at the local gym may be the best form of physical activity if you need to improve your cardiovascular health.
Important tip: remember to speak to your medical doctor before starting any new exercise if you have health problems.
5. Start a Daily Routine
Starting a daily routine that includes your workout classes is an excellent way of ensuring you stick to your fitness goal. Knowing that you have to exercise first thing in the morning or stop off at the gym after work will help you to commit to your exercises.
Understanding when the best time of the day for you is to work on your fitness goal is also essential. Trying to exercise when you know your body is at its lowest energy peak in the evenings will make it harder for you to enjoy or feel motivated about staying fit and healthy. If your energy levels are better in the early mornings, rather plan your workout routine for the start of your day.
In Summary
Sticking to a new workout goal isn’t always easy but it’s achievable when you use motivational strategies. Signing up to gym with personal trainer assistance is a wise move if need to be kept accountable. If you thrive in a group setting, joining an exercise class will keep you motivated while keeping a daily schedule will ensure you see regular progress.
Now, which of these strategies will work for you?
Laila Azzahra is a professional writer and blogger that loves to write about technology, business, entertainment, science, and health.