5 Tips to Maintain a Long-term Exercise Routine

5 Tips to Maintain a Long-term Exercise Routine

Today’s post is a bit different. There is no sample workout routine, just some tips and thoughts about what I have gathered in successfully maintaining an exercise routine. I have tried a bit of everything. I have things I like more than others and I get in streaks, both good and bad, but you need to find what works for you.

What I have noticed is that too often we beat ourselves up if we’re not busting our tails everyday or sticking to exactly what our exercise routine looks like. We’re all human and life happens. We get frustrated and want to quit because we think “what’s the point now?” But what you also need to know is that you must take care of yourself. The body needs activity and the body needs sufficient nourishment. Your personal health should be of utmost importance because without your own health, how will you be able to serve others and give others your best?

So what’s the key to keeping up with an exercise routine over the course of a lifetime?

Here are some helpful tidbits to keep you on track:

  1. Find something you can enjoy. One key to sticking with exercise is enjoying it. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t always love being overly exerted and breathing so heavy I think I may pass out. But that also doesn’t happen every day. There are days when I am really feeling my workout and can bust it in the gym but what about the days when I don’t feel so great? Onto number 2…
  2. Just go move. When I don’t feel the greatest, when I can’t find the time to actually get to the gym, I just try to find something that is active that I can do. This could be so many things…go for a walk, do some push-ups, sit-ups, squats, do a few sprints, yoga, dance, Youtube a quick workout, etc.
  3. Find accountability in someone or something. Having someone to report to or writing down your activity can help to keep you on track and staying consistent. When we write down our goals, we are much more likely to stick to them and tracking your progress along the way can be a great motivator. Also, finding someone to exercise with or to talk to about your exercise can help keep you on track, too.
  4. Be active for at least 30 minutes. That’s it! Make that a simple goal. This can be broken into 10 minute increments and there are still benefits to it. As an example, you could walk for 10 minutes, do calisthenics for 10 minutes, stretch for 10 minutes. Or walk for 30 minutes. Just make it a point to be moving!
  5. Make yourself a priority. Keeping yourself healthy and making time to do so is one of the most important things you can do. Your health is valuable and tending to it is necessary. Schedule exercise into your day, if you are able to plan ahead. Strive for a routine of some sort, but also learn to be flexible with it, as well. Like I mentioned, if your energy is low on one day, just opt for a walk instead of a full blown gym routine.

Love yourself, y’all. 🙂 Exercise is so beneficial for the body and the mind…just start moving! Don’t beat yourself up if you’re not right on track or if you fell behind. Just keep going and keep doing something. Long-term consistency is what leads to long-term health! Healthy mind, healthy body, healthy life.