Set an appointment. Pick out the times when you want to exercise, and schedule ahead. Keep your appointment with yourself ironclad, and don’t let other engagements interfere. If you keep a calendar on your phone or computer, set alarms that will remind you of your workout time. Replace a habit. Most of us have some unnecessary and not particularly enjoyable habit, such as watching TV, that could be replaced by (or added on to) exercising. Ask yourself how much time you spend on this habit, and whether or not you could exercise at the same time. If the answer is yes, make a new rule that stipulates (for instance) that you can only watch television if you’re exercising at the same time. Use it as social time. If you have a standing appointment with a friend or family member to spend time together, see if he or she is willing to incorporate exercise into that time. Instead of doing step aerobics together, though, consider doing a more social activity, like playing a game such as tennis or dancing. Routine is the key. After about 2 weeks of the routine, you will find it a lot less of a chore.
If you get bored while you exercise, try participating in a more social activity such as a team or intramural sport.
Having a visual reminder of your workouts is great to keep you motivated and accountable for your workouts.
Avoid burnout. Working yourself too hard at first can lead to muscle strain and fatigue, and associating exercise with pain can make you more reluctant to work out next time.
Write down your measurements. As you start to trim up, seeing your progress can increase your confidence. Measure your neck, arms and ankles as well.
Weight loss always requires a long-term, sustained effort when it comes to both exercise and nutrition. There are no quick and easy solutions.
Drink enough water to replace what is lost. Amount will vary based on your body weight, climate, effort level, etc. Dehydration would slow your weight-loss goals, increase danger of muscle tears, and could make you feel nauseated. Avoid coffee and soda drinks, for better results.
Make a list of things that happen often in episodes of your favorite show(s), and pair each item on the list with an exercise. Pause the show whenever something on your list happens, and do the corresponding exercise. You can start watching again when you finish your set. Check out examples below.
