At one time or another, everyone has set up a workout program, going into it with fury, only to abandon it a few weeks later. Sometimes, life got in the way. Sometimes, the program was far too ambitious for the level of fitness. Working out for a few days may help a bit, but won’t give you the results you hope to achieve. The key to any fitness program is consistency. It’s not like writing a paper or reading a book, where you can do it in one day and its done. It’s more like keeping a kitchen or other room clean. It takes consistent work.
It takes time to get the body into shape.
Too often people quit their workout program because they aren’t seeing the results they hoped to achieve. In most cases, they haven’t given it enough time. That exercise session helped burn more calories, getting you closer to burning the 3500 it takes to lose one pound. It also boosted your circulation to help you think clearer. That one session also burned off the hormones of stress, while triggering the release of hormones that make you feel good. After just one week, you’ll notice more energy, but to see the changes in muscle mass or drop in weight, you may have to wait up to a month. Muscle growth, weight changes and increased strength and fitness will be obvious after consistently working out for up to six months.
You need to have a schedule and stick with the schedule.
Every commitment or appointment is normally on your calendar or on your phone. Create an appointment for your workout. If you don’t, it won’t happen. Create a consistent schedule, so that it becomes a habit. Whether you exercise in the morning, afternoon or evening, it doesn’t matter, as long as you do it regularly.
Get some help.
There are many different ways to increase the probability of follow through. One of those is having an exercise buddy. A workout buddy holds you accountable, since he or she is actually an appointment. If you skip that appointment, someone knows. It’s a far better solution than just promising yourself you’ll do it. A workout buddy also can push you to work harder and make every workout more fun.
- In order to stick with a workout program, you need to set yourself up for success. Don’t try to get into shape in just one day, it simply won’t work. Some people tend to overdo their first workout, leaving them too sore, tired or even injured to continue.
- If you’re not sure where to start, consider working with a personal trainer, either with private sessions or group sessions. Once you’ve established the workout habit, you can try it on your own if you like.
- If weight loss is your reason for starting a workout program, don’t forget to start eating healthy, too. No matter how much you exercise, you can’t overcome an unhealthy diet.
- On the days away from the gym, stay active. Make it your passion to find ways to get more exercise. Walk more, take the stairs and even create some mini workouts to get your blood circulating after you sat for a while.