Blog Post

KEEP IT GOING! 5 tips to stick with your workout routine! 1. Find internal motivation Internal motivation comes from the inside, such as having joy when exercising. Relying on extrinsic motivation, as in from outside sources such as for praise or money, makes you feel like you need to be exercising and more often leads to short-term commitment to programs. Finding your personal reason for exercising will help you want to keep going. Those who exercise because they love it are the ones who stay with it.

2. Don’t do too much too soon Take it easy when starting your routine. Going full speed all the time will leave you burned out, discouraged, possibly injured, and dreading your next workout. Start slow and once that becomes easy, gradually make your routine more challenging. You should be pushed outside your comfort zone, but you don't need to dive straight out of it.

3. Mix up your routine Performing the same workouts day in and day out can get tiresome. Change it up to keep you interested as well as to exercise different muscle groups. Try a new group exercise class or swap the elliptical for the stair climber. You don't need to dramatically switch your routine every day, but you may find something you love even more!

4. Bring a friend Working out with a friend can help you stay honest to your goals. When the day comes where you really just want to go straight home, it will be harder to skip if you're meeting a friend. They will help encourage you and it will be more fun than going at it alone. Studies show people workout longer and harder when doing it with a friend.

5. Be forgiving Don't be afraid to scale back. If you increased your workouts too fast, you may feel like you can't keep up. This could lead to abandoned exercise routines. Listen to your mind and body. If you need an easy workout, take one! Don't beat yourself up for skipping a day either, instead pump yourself up to get back into it.