In a world that constantly demands our attention, time, and energy, prioritizing our health often takes a backseat. However, incorporating regular exercise into our daily routine is not just about sculpting our bodies; it's about cultivating mental strength, boosting self-confidence, and achieving a profound sense of balance and contentment.
Trying out something new in the gym can be a great way to continue to improve your fitness and overall wellbeing.
Start small: Don't overwhelm yourself by trying to do too much at once. Begin with manageable workouts and gradually increase the intensity and duration as you get more comfortable.
Enjoy it! If you like what you’re doing, you’re more likely to continue it and stay committed.
Get a gym buddy: Having a workout partner can make the gym experience more enjoyable and hold you accountable. You can motivate each other and share your progress, making it more likely to stick to your routine.
Be Patient and Kind to Yourself: Forming a new habit takes time, and setbacks may happen. Don't be too hard on yourself if you miss a day or don't see immediate results. Focus on the progress you're making and the positive changes in your fitness and well-being.
Why not track your progress? Keeping a workout journal or using a fitness app to monitor your progress can help you see improvements and stay motivated.
Reward yourself: Make sure you celebrate your achievements, no matter how small they may seem! Treat yourself to something enjoyable when you reach a milestone, such as completing a certain number of gym sessions or hitting a specific fitness target.
Try something new: If you’re comfortable with your workout routine, why not mix it up? Variety can help to prevent boredom, try a new Group Fitness Class or a new machine in the gym?
Try ‘doing one better-than-nothing’ behaviour and see how it goes. The goal, remember, is repetition, not high achievement. Let yourself be mediocre at whatever you're trying to do, but be mediocre every day. Take only one step, but take that step every day.
By getting started, we're establishing the neural pathway in our brain for a new habit, which makes it much more likely that we'll succeed with something more ambitious down the line.
"How to Change: The Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be" is a transformative book by Katy Milkman, offering practical insights into human behaviour and motivation. Through rigorous scientific research and engaging anecdotes, the book illuminates effective strategies for achieving personal goals, such as going to the gym regularly.
By understanding the underlying principles of behaviour change, we can overcome procrastination, build habits, and stay committed to our health and wellbeing journey.
Have you ever wondered why self-control seems to be linked to so many awesome life outcomes? It's not just about resisting temptations! There's some fascinating research challenging the conventional belief. Turns out, people with stronger self-control actually rely less on suppressing urges in their daily lives, but they still manage to achieve their goals like champions! How? Well, one exciting idea suggests that they lean on positive habits that support their journey.
People with good habits rarely need to resist the temptation to laze on the sofa, order an unhealthy takeaway, or watch ah hour of videos on their phone before dashing out the door. That’s because autopilot takes over, eliminating temptation from the equation. Having established good habits, little to no willpower is required to choose wisely.
Wellness specialist Lauren Parsons suggests snacking on exercise to start. The most common reason given for not exercising is ‘No time’.
Lauren suggests incorporating exercise into our routines in manageable, four-minute chunks, which we can then use to build the foundation for a more active life.
So, while you wait for the kettle to boil, why not do some push-ups, or play with your kids while they’re in the playground, or suggest a walking meeting at work?
Let's lace up our workout shoes, take a deep breath, and embark on this incredible expedition toward a healthier, happier, and more fulfilled version of ourselves! Remember, the key is consistency, patience, and a whole lot of self-love.
by Fiona Perryman