Of all the new things I’ve learned/done this pandemic, this below is one of my favorites. I’ve been working out with some consistency since 2010, and I have never been THIS consistent for this long. An average of 4 workouts per week for 3 whole months!! I didn’t start out with this as a defined goal, but I learned some things along the way, and so I wanted to share them with you today. If you’re looking to build a habit where you move your body for some period of time with some consistency, you may find this post helpful.
Before I get into the tips, I want to talk a little bit about what I’ve been doing. I do not have a Peloton. I have a stationary bike in the basement that I never use, so all of this activity has either been outdoors or in my office, using the amount of space occupied by a yoga mat. Meaning, there’s really no fancy gadgets or anything like that, and if I can do it, you can too.
Move your body in ways that are enjoyable to you: I don’t like running. So every time I try to create a running habit, I fail at it, because it feels like something I have to do rather than something I want to do. When I started this workout streak, I made a commitment to move my body 3 times per week, and it could be anything that sounded interesting - a dance routine, a hike, yoga. And that’s initially what I started with - walks/hikes and yoga. In July I added strength training with free weights (I have 5lbs, 8 lbs, and 10 lb hand weights) and that’s been my routine since. If there’s a day or week when I only want to do yoga, or I only want to walk outside, that’s fine - I don’t feel guilty about that.
Track your progress: I’m motivated by data so I like tracking my progress and gaining badges on my Apple Watch. Nearly every fitness device has some tracking and “reward” component, so if that’s something that motivates you, use it.
Listen to something you love: I cannot workout with music. I have several fun playlists that I ONLY listen to when I work out, which is strong motivation because if I want to listen to that playlist, then I have to be working out. If audiobooks are more your thing, pick something that sounds interesting, and get moving.
Rest when you need it: You do not have to workout every day. Rest when you need it, and don’t feel guilty about it.
Create a reward system that works for you: I treat myself with fancy pedicures and massages at my favorite spa, but you can and should pick a reward that motivates you.
Also, remember that you don’t have to wait for a new year, new month, or new week to start a new habit. Every day is a new day to start over, so you can create your own habits starting TODAY. And then do it again tomorrow, and the day after, and soon, before you know it, you will have a habit that feels like second nature and makes you feel good!!
Have you picked up a movement habit this year? What motivates you to keep it going? Let me know in the comments below!
