Motivation to exercise

NEED MOTIVATION TO EXERCISE?

Exercise is about much more than just getting “that body”. It’s also about a long, happy and healthy life. Question is, how do you get started?

ONE STEP AT A TIME

The most difficult part is getting started! Just putting on your trainers/tekkies and getting out of the house might feel far too overwhelming.

A mistake many people make is to think that they need to exercise for at least 30 minutes, otherwise, it will be useless. This is not the case. For starters, I suggest you do only one exercise a day for the first week. The week thereafter do two exercises and then increase the frequency with which you exercise weekly. You don’t even have to wear gym clothes to do some exercise. Do the exercise dressed as you are, as long as you do it! You’ll feel that you’re beginning to take control of your life and that you’re accomplishing something, and this is key for increasing your motivation to keep going at it.

Here’s an example:

If you have the LK Fitness App, skip to WEEK 2.

WEEK 1

Day 1: Do 3 sets of 10 squats. Even if you don’t do them all at once. You can spread the 3 sets throughout the day. Just think about it, 10 squats will take you about 20 seconds. Doing it three times will take a minute.

Day 2: Do 3 sets of 20 seconds plank.

Day 3: Do 3 sets of 15 arm exercises.

Day 4: Do 3 sets of inner thigh exercises.

Day 5: Walk for 20 to 30 minutes.

Day 6: Do 3 sets of hip exercises.

Day 7: Rest and download the LK FITNESS app to see what to do for the following week.

WEEK 2

Do just two of the Beginner level exercises on the LK FITNESS App each day.

Thereafter: increase the amount of Beginner level exercises you do weekly until you can do the entire Beginner level on the app.

SCHEDULE TIME TO EXERCISE

Now that you’ve gotten into the habit of exercising, you need to plan your exercise routine. Just like you schedule the rest of your life, you also need to schedule your exercise. For example, it helps to have a friend who exercises with you. Nobody likes to let someone else down; therefore, it will force you to show up for your exercise appointment. Choose someone who is on the same fitness and health level to go for a walk or jog with you.

Some people prefer to exercise on their own. If this is you then still make time for it in your diary. Decide on what days and times you want to exercise, and then stick to it. It’s definitely better to exercise more or less at the same time each day because then exercise will become part of your daily routine. And once it’s part of your routine, it gets easier to do.

ALWAYS KEEP BALANCE IN MIND

Sometimes you won’t have time for your scheduled exercise. If this happens, you’ll have to make up for it elsewhere. For example, if you don’t get to do your workout, then don’t eat pizza for dinner. Always make sure you cancel out the negative with something positive.

If you overeat or indulge in unhealthy foods, exercise more intensely. When you miss a workout, be very cautious about what you eat. However, never try to overcompensate. Maintain a balance, because balance is the secret to success, as is consistency. Just keep taking it day by day and choice by choice. You will get there!

It’s been proven that people who quit after a month, end up in a vicious circle. You believe you’ll never get it right. Them, the next time you try it, you’ll find it even easier to give up. So, be patient and stick to your plan. It takes a while to get into an exercise routine and make it a habit, but its definitely doable. So, regardless of how you feel, or what stumbling blocks make it harder to exercise, remember that the reward of regular exercise will be great in the end.