According to multiple studies, dieters who kept a food diary lost twice as much weight as those who kept no records. But while keeping a journal holds you more accountable for how you treat your body, sticking to a fitness routine is different from sticking to a healthy eating routine. Here are the key tips how to keep motivated and stick to your workout goals as told by local health and fitness expert, Bill Shuttic.
1. Change your perspective – shift your thinking from couch potato mentality to thinking like an athlete. This may sound like a big challenge, but it’s not as big a leap as you think. Whether you need to put an “I’m lucky” sticky note on the mirror, or watching the power of health in your children’s eyes, committing to a fitness routine begins in your head.
2. Think fun and variety – by nature, humans need change and variety to stay motivated. We also need to have fun — even while we’re working hard. Do both! Whether it’s a toning and sculpting class that changes choreography every week or a trail run that changes scenery every season, design your exercise routine around a variety of exercise methods. Make sure you include activities you truly enjoy and look forward to doing, and can even make you forget you’re working out — like dancing, hula hooping, or playing sports with family and friends.
3. Set goals! – There’s nothing more motivating than that first 5K looming in bold letters on the calendar. Register early and commit to an exercise program that will get you in shape by race day. Set realistic goals that include clear milestones, and as you progress toward your goal, you’ll find a ripple effect occurs and things fall into place in your work, home life, and health. Make sure it’s realistic and you can actually adapt your life around meeting the goal!
4. Schedule a regular workout time – some of the most committed exercisers do it every day before the sun comes up or late at night when the kids are in bed. Sit down with your weekly schedule and try to build in 30-60 minutes each day to be good to your body. Write your workout on your calendar, set up daycare, and rearrange things around this time as if it were any other important appointment you have to keep.
For more information on Bill Shuttic and Ultimate Health & Wellness, visit http://ulti-health.com/ or call (310) 413-0514. The Complete Wellness System
