Make Exercise Habitual

…and enjoy exercising while you’re at it.

If you ask a habitual exerciser what their biggest road block is, by far the most common answer is "getting started." Getting into the habit, working it into your schedule, and keeping it that way are all much easier said than done.

Zen Habits has a great list of things to help make exercise a habit. His list is 31 items long, but there are a couple we think you should focus on:

• Find a partner. Having a partner to go to classes with, motivate you on the days you’re dragging, and struggle through the pain with will make it much easier to maintain your exercise habits. Definitely find a reliable partner, not someone who’ll suggest to get ice cream instead, and you won’t be sorry you did.
• Do an activity you enjoy. If you don’t like lifting weights, then don’t do it. Play basketball or join a cycling class instead. If you enjoy the activity, you’ll look forward to exercising and won’t look for reasons not to go. It took me a long time to realize this, but switching to an activity I actually liked made working out a bright spot in my day.
• Set a goal and record your progress. It will only take a minute or two a day, but set a measurable goal and write down your daily or weekly progress. This will motivate you as you get closer and can see the changes in your strength, fitness, or weight. Make sure the goal is measurable, like "I want to lose 5 pounds this month" or "I want to work up to 15 pull ups in one set," not "I want to get fitter" which could mean anything.

Making sure your exercise routine incorporates those 3 things will help motivate you, make exercise a permanent part of your schedule, and give you goals to feel good about achieving. A healthy body and healthy mind go hand in hand, so make sure to exercise both.

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