Don't Talk Yourself Out of Reaching Your Fitness Goals
by Colin Butler
Vertex Education Ambassador, Fitness
If you are not experienced exercise enthusiasts, it can be challenging to get started on a regular exercise routine. Having a SMART goal can help make it easier and keep you on track. It can be easy to get discouraged in the beginning, but let’s talk about how to achieve your goal of regular exercise.
Manage your expectations
Managing expectations is important. You may start off wanting to work out 5 times a week for an hour each session. Do you actually have enough time for that to be a reasonable goal? We often get excited about the end goal and shoot for the moon instead of taking baby steps to get there. Immediately going for the big goal often leads to unnecessary let down. Set realistic goals you can build on and you’ll find that consistency comes much more naturally.
When you manage your expectations, navigating through the ups and downs becomes a lot easier. In the words of the philosopher Captain Jack Sparrow, “The problem is not the problem. The problem is your attitude about the problem.”
Prepare to battle the voices in your head.
“I don’t have enough time to exercise”
Add “exercise snacks” throughout the day. Get moving for 10 minutes three times a day. It can be just as advantageous as longer periods of exercise. Sneak in more steps by parking at the back of a parking lot or going to the bathroom on a different floor than you’re normally on.
“Exercise is boring”
Choose activities you enjoy. You’re more likely to exercise if you enjoy what you’re doing. Remember, anything that gets you moving counts. Variety is the spice of exercise, iInstead of sticking with one type of exercise, rotate between several like walking, swimming, or cycling to keep it from getting stale.
“I’m too tired to work out after work”
Get it done before you head in to work or on your lunch break. A quick, 10-minute walk after you eat lunch at work is a great way to get in some activity, and it helps with digestion.
“I feel self-conscious when exercising”
Avoid the crowds. If you don’t feel comfortable exercising around other people, you can go when the gym is less crowded or do stuff at home. A quick search on youtube will provide in-home yoga, cardio, stretching, and other home base activities.
You have silenced your Negative Nellie, now tune into your Celebratory Sallie!
Focus on your achievements! Success can be measured in many different ways. Exercise seems easier, improved mood, better sleep, your clothes fitting differently. Focus on the positives makes it easier to stick to your plan.
If you miss a day, get back at it tomorrow!
Thanks to Our Education Ambassador Sponsor
