Sticking to a fitness routine can be very challenging. It’s rare that someone’s schedule stays the exact same every week year round. Sickness, emergencies, and travel plans happen which can completely throw off your routine. So how can you stay on track and continue to make progress despite life’s constant curveballs? This blog will cover a few strategies that might work for you.
Protect Scheduled Exercise
A scheduled workout doesn’t have to be 2 hours long. If you’re able to find even 30 mins twice a week to dedicate to exercise, that will help keep your mind in a routine so you can jump right back in when you have more time/resources. It’s easy to say you’ll do a workout when you have time, but we all know that time often escapes us. Hold yourself accountable by scheduling an appointment with a Kinesiologist or Fitness trainer, or even just block off time for yourself to move on your own. This strategy won’t work if you don’t prioritize these scheduled times. Once you’ve planned ahead, say no to any interruptions so that you can take care of yourself.
Make it Easy
ind options wherever you are that are functional for that setting. If you’re on vacation, your workouts probably won’t look the exact same as when you’re at home. Use what you have – whether that’s a hotel gym, a trail through your campsite, or some heavy books at your friend’s house. It can be overwhelming trying to find ways to keep your fitness routine exactly how it is when you’re home, so take some of that pressure off. Keep yourself in your routine mentally, set a goal with the equipment or space that you have, and just move for 30-45 mins. If you’re someone who is on a training plan for a specific goal, plan ahead. Do a little research on what resources you’ll have and some alternative ways you can lift or run. If you’re simply busy with work, kids or other engagements, you can make consistent exercise easy by finding small (10-20 min) increments of time to stretch, lift, or get your heart rate up. Do this as many times as you find the little pockets of time until you can fit in a full exercise session again. Keep it simple!
Socialize
Efficiency in your schedule can help make sure you take care of multiple realms of health at once. Bring a friend or family member with you to a fitness class, on a walk, or into a gym – make it fun! Rather than skip another social gathering to make time for your workout, get your loved ones involved so you catch up while looking after your physical health. Exercise can be a great way to meet people as well! Join a walking group or try a fitness class to add socialization and accountability to your routine.
Choose Active Alternatives
Life really does just get busy sometimes and finding time is tough. If you don’t feel like you’re finding enough time to set aside for exercise, think about how you can add it to what you do have time for. Choose the stairs instead of the elevator, park a little further from the grocery store, walk or bike instead of driving to pick kids up from school. These small adjustments will add a few extra steps to your daily total and use larger muscle groups that would otherwise be neglected.
Everyone gets busy and has to drop something here and there to keep up the juggling act. Choose to keep juggling your exercise ball. In the long run, your body and mind will be better off and you might notice it actually gets easier to juggle everything else. Look at exercise through the lense of self-care. Not only is your physical health effected by exercise – your mental health takes a hit when movement doesn’t happen. Take care of yourself and choose to move.
If you have any questions or would like to explore further, please book a free, no-charge online appointment with either myself, Evelyn Merriman, BKin, RKin, or another Kinesiologist or in Kitchener or Waterloo at CARESPACE. We are happy to listen and are here to help!
