If you’re feeling that initial start of the year fitness motivation fizzling out, you’re not alone. Or, even if you’re a fitness junky that’s just stuck in a fitness rut right now, it may be time to take a new approach to making exercise habits.
We’re sharing what you need to know about how to make exercise habits that stick, and hacks that may completely transform your current fitness routine.
10 Hacks To Make Your New Healthy Exercise Habits Stick
#1 Make a Date With Your Workout
Yes, you heard that right. Make a date out of your workout times. Literally, pencil them into your calendar and commit to them like you would date night. Sometimes all it takes is actually scheduling these sweat seshes in to follow through.
#2 Set an Alarm
Just like you would set an alarm clock to wake up in the AM, set a separate one to get your booty pressing play on that workout. Even if you plan to work out right when you wake up, set a totally different alarm. It will just become one of those exercise habits that may give you that added motivation you need to get going first thing in the AM.
#3 Get Those Cute Workout Clothes Ready The Night Before
The night before, pick your fav workout outfit and set it out all ready to go. When your alarm goes off, you’ll be all set to put on those sweat duds and get sweating.
Plus, having a cute workout outfit on, is always a great motivator for actually getting that daily workout in.
#4 Start Small
When working on making exercise habits that stick, start small. Why? Because as with anything, overshooting and aiming too high without a plan may just lead to disappointment.
We definitely want to set ourselves up for success here. So, start small, and focus on the process of making these new habits a lifestyle change.
Focus on 2-3 small and attainable goals, and write them down. Focus on tackling these first before moving to the next. You can also write out a detailed plan to help you reach these goals faster.
Want to wake up early and workout every single morning for a month? Write that goal down, and how you’ll ensure this happens (like setting that alarm and placing your workout clothes out each night before bed.)
Work on a few goals at a time, and then keep making more. Before you know it, all of these goals will turn into exercise habits that stick.
#5 Celebrate Small Victories
Lost those five stubborn pounds you’ve been working towards for months? Heck, yes! Celebrate big with a movie night out with your friends.
Celebrate all the fitness wins—the more you reward yourself (in healthy, non food ways), the easier you may find it is to make exercise habits that really do stick.
#6 Have Fun
Don’t get stuck in a fitness rut. Make sure you are adding some spice to your fitness routine (variety is the spice of life, after all.) Get the most out of the FitOn app by exploring all the different free workouts, and do something different each week! Not only will it keep your workout routine exciting, but it will also help challenge new muscle groups to help you reach your fitness goals.
#7 Take Rest Days
Rest is important. You don’t want to over exercise as this isn’t a healthy part of making exercise habits. Too much of a good thing isn’t a good thing, so take rest days when needed. Had a super heavy leg day yesterday and feeling fatigued? Take a rest day or a day to just stretch it out.
Listen to your body—it’s an essential part of making healthy habits that stick.
#8 Consistency VS. Frequency
Another important tip here is to focus on consistency (and quality) vs. frequency. When you’re first getting started, be realistic with how many days you can exercise. If you can only get in four days per week, then commit to four (like really commit.)
At the end of the day, consistency, with a kick-butt effort, is going to get you to where you want to be faster than if you workout five days per week one week, but then slack and only get in two the rest of the month.
The bottom line is that you want to be committed and stay committed to whatever challenge you set for yourself.
#9 Don’t Skip on Planned Exercise Days
Another thing on commitment—don’t skip a workout on a scheduled workout day. Even if that coffee day with your BFF sounds like way more fun than getting sweaty with a HIIT workout, stay committed. This is a key part of making exercise habits that will help you reach your goals.
Do your workout, then do the things (you’ll thank yourself later.)
#10 Workout With Your Friends
Oh, and why not get your friends involved? Not only is it way more fun to workout with a friend, but it’s also a great way to help your friends make some healthy exercise habits you now can hold each other accountable for.
Plus, you can work out with your friends using the FitOn app for a little friendly competition. So, if competition gets you fired up, challenge a friend to a FitOn workout.
Healthy Exercise Habits Equals Better Health
We all know that fitness is a huge part of supporting overall health, but making exercise habits that stick can be challenging.
If you’re ready to really fire up your current fitness routine, use these ten hacks to supercharge those habits and make them something you can commit to long-term.
With healthier exercise habits that you can make a part of your lifestyle, comes better overall health.
So, what are you waiting for? Get those leggings set out, and that alarm set to tackle tomorrow morning’s pump.
