Adding exercise to your daily routine is a common resolution entrepreneurs make and quickly abandon months after starting. Here are some tips to help create an exercise routine you can carry with you beyond just the early stages. Once you establish a habit, exercise will become second nature or something you look forward to each day.
Choose activities you enjoy
Focus on what makes you feel good so you’ll keep coming back
- Experiment with different classes, sports, and activities until you find something that is a source of lasting pleasure
- Find a physical activity that brings you joy and gets your mind off work
Practice Gratitude
Take a moment before or after exercising to practice gratitude for what your body can do
- Thank your body for what it has done and reflect on what it is capable of
- Remembering gratitude increases the chances you feel good after exercising and increases the odds you come back for more
Make a commitment
Hire a personal trainer or purchase a month of classes to commit to your exercise regimen.
- Creating a training schedule will force you to carve out specific workout time in your business calendar and encourage you to show up on days when working out is the last thing you want to do.
Set reasonable expectations
Begin with manageable, achievable tasks
- Some exercise is better than no exercise
- Set manageable expectations and forgive yourself if you fall short
- Consistency is key, so as long as you come back to the gym after a busy (or lazy) week there is nothing to lose sleep over
Use technology
Apps can help you keep track of the progress you’ve made and set goals for the future
- Keep track of your metrics and see what your friends are up to
- Use a fitness app to see how fast you’re running or how much stronger you fee
Switch it up
Doing the same exercises over and over will get boring
- Experiment with more adventurous activities like rock climbing, hiking or dancing to see which kinds of activities are the most fun
- You get the most health benefits out of combining cardio and strength training
- Repetitive exercise sometimes just doesn’t cut it