Exercising EVERY day

[semielliptical]

I'm celebrating Thanksgiving (in a very low-key way) so this seemed like an appropriate time to write a bit about why I'm thankful for this community, and how I'm working at exercising EVERY day.

My exercise goals since I joined this community have focused on exercising regularly, not on a particular fitness goal. Which is not because I'm completely satisfied with my level of fitness, but because I've always had trouble sticking to any kind of exercise routine. I would invariably fall out of the habit and then go for months with only occasional exercise.

What has helped me exercise (almost) every day:

1. This community: checking in provides accountability, and reading other members' positive posts and comments about exercise provides encouragement. Thanks to all of you!

2. Exercise calendar: I use an app on my iPod, Daily Deeds, which gives me a visual record of exercise (and other daily goals.) Of course any calendar would work.

3. Attainable goals: when I first joined the community I think I started with a daily goal of 20 minutes a day, so it was difficult to make an excuse *not* to fit exercise in to any day, no matter how busy.

4. Planning and scheduling: as I increased my goal, I had to plan to be sure I could fit in an exercise session, particularly if I wanted to do anything vigorous. I'm busy at work in the fall, with some very long days, so I really needed to get over my habit of staying in bed as long as possible in the morning. That has been a challenge, but setting a goal of exercising first thing in the morning 4 days a week has helped. Though recently I've realized it might be more effective to exercise first thing *every* week day. I'm very good at coming up with excuses to stay in bed if there's any possibility I can put it off to another day!


What helps you stick to your exercise goal, whether that's exercising every day, or a few days a week, or something else?

Comments

[alphaviolet]

I think I posted here a while ago that what makes me stick to my goals here is hedonism. Well, not exactly. But I pick exercises I like doing, I look forward to them, and then I do them.

Initially, I signed up for a fitness challenge at the gym to build the habit of exercising and learn more about how my body worked. (I found that I needed to exercise for over 45 minutes at a time to get the results I wanted.) But then, it was important for me to get out of the fitness club environment, because the approach behind that - distracting oneself with TV, getting on the scale too often, and doing exercises that depended on machines - was decreasing my motivation. (I use exercise for meditation and stress reduction.) So now I do a lot of dancing and outdoor exercises and don't spend any time with treadmills, etc.. That is what works for me. YMMV. If I loved using a treadmill and looked forward to it, I would, of course.

After a year or so, I reached my first goal, so now I am working on building functional strength/ability.

[semielliptical]

I pick exercises I like doing, I look forward to them, and then I do them.

That's a very sensible approach. I can be pretty lazy, and I've noticed that if I'm not practicing a physical activity regularly, I can forget how enjoyable it can be. Another reason to exercise frequently!

[alphaviolet]

Me too - when I do it, I remember it. The exercise itself can be the motivation. It is good for me, but I look forward to it too... like how some people feel about going to a spa or to get their hair done.