Posted 14 November 2022
HOW TO MAKE EXERCISE A HABIT WITH ANYTIME FITNESS
Getting into the habit of exercise is a major milestone on a fitness journey, but it isn’t as hard as you may think!
“While it can take some time to form a habit — about eight weeks or 66 days — it can be made easy by planning, being patient and thinking outside the box,’’ Jade Cross, Senior Manager of Anytime Fitness Ripley said.
The experienced team at Anytime Fitness know consistency is also key to smashing any exercise goal, and have shared a few tried-and-true methods to get you started just in time for summer.
1. Adding exercise to your daily routine
Look at areas within your current daily routine where you could add in some exercise, for example a lunch break at work or 30 minutes before the kids wake up for the day. 15 minutes of movement is better than none at all, but don’t panic if your day flies out the window and you run out of time — there is always tomorrow!
2. Set an achievable goal
Goal setting is important to creating successful, long-term exercise habits.
You can start by setting one big goal (like climbing the nearest hill to your house without stopping) but make sure you also set bite-sized goals along the way (like building from flat walks to shorter hill walks with less rest stops).
Ensure your goals can realistically fit into your current routine and are within an achievable timeframe to give your body time to build strength and fitness. The team at Anytime Fitness will be able to provide an assessment of your current fitness levels and how long it may take to achieve your goal, so you’re set up for success from the start!
3. Fuel your body
Exercise habits and healthy eating habits go hand-in-hand. You need to provide your body with enough energy and nutrients to meet the demands of your new exercise habit and to keep you going through busy days.
If you aren’t sure what you should be eating or how much, the friendly Anytime Fitness team will be able to help.
4. Take a break
Don’t go out too hard or too fast. The key to creating a habit is steady consistency so don’t smash your body in the first week. Ease into it and make sure you schedule in rest days — your muscles will thank you for it!
5. An injury does not have to be your end-all
It can be challenging to motivate yourself following an injury. You may need to modify your exercises where necessary and adjust the timeframe of your goals. Be patient with yourself and kind to your body as it heals — you’ll come out stronger in the long run.
If you’re struggling with ongoing pain or have suffered a new injury, the Anytime Fitness team will be able to support you through a rehabilitation program.
6. Exercise your mind
Forming an exercise habit is just as much of a mental challenge as it is a physical one. You may be venturing outside your comfort zone when entering a gym or trying new movements and exercises, but it’s important to not compare yourself to others who may be further ahead in their fitness journey.
Be patient with yourself as it takes time to master new movements and form lasting habits. After all, “a comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there.” — Gina Milicia.
7. Get creative
Exercise doesn’t always have to involve going to the gym! Moving your body can take all forms, like going for a walk with your dog or playing with your kids.
Finding something you like is half the journey. If you don’t enjoy running, you may like to start with biking or swimming. If you find going to the gym by yourself a bit boring, try a group fitness class or get a mate to come with you.
Or if you can’t fit in a scheduled workout, you can increase your steps each day by walking around the house while you brush your teeth or while you’re on a phone call or park your car just a little bit further from the shops.
You can even introduce exercise into your social life by joining a social sports team or by inviting a friend on a walk to your local café, combining a rest stop with a coffee and good gossip!
Exercise can be fun and the endorphins are incredibly rewarding. If one form of exercise isn’t your thing, it’s okay — there’s always something new to try!
8. Reward progress
This is the best part! Be sure to reward your progress. Treat yourself to celebrate your achievements for the week or share your success with friends and family.
We know the gym can sometimes be intimidating as a first-timer or off the back of an injury, but we are all here for the same reason — prioritising our health and wellbeing!
If you’re interested in making fitness a habit with Anytime Fitness Ripley, pop in to meet Jade and her friendly team who can assist in kick-starting your exercise journey.