Let’s say it like it is. Exercising consistently isn’t a cakewalk. It requires discipline and devotion to work out on a regular basis if you are not a fitness fanatic. And it’s way easier to find excuses not to. Whether it’s personal reasons or work or plain laziness, there are limitless things that can derail one’s workout schedule. 

While missing a session from time to time is unavoidable, it should not be a habit. Check out these strategies that will help you work out regularly:

1. Make it part of your daily schedule

It’s a good idea to choose a workout plan or domain that interests you and then make it a part of your everyday routine. You should prioritize your exercise time like you do your meals, work calls, or entertainment. Scheduling it early in the day can help as the chances of disruptions are minimal. 

2. Have a workout buddy

It might be a good idea to team up with a workout friend with similar levels of fitness. It makes you accountable, triggers a  sense of competition that helps you push each other, and keeps you motivated to turn up for your next workout.

3. Set up realistic goals

Setting up a goal that is aspirational, moderately difficult, and aligned to your interests, will keep you moving.  And putting a date to it helps you focus. Make sure you think it through though.

For example, if you want to lose 5kg in three months, you’d need to lose about 0.5kg per week. So, you need to achieve a daily caloric deficit of 450kcal-500kcal (1kg of fat loss = 7,700kcal). 

Once you have a plan etched out, you’d know exactly how to achieve your goal, and there will be higher chances of success. 

Also watch: What Are the Three Exercises You Must Do?

4. Learn and grow

Learning about any activity helps you become better at it, and once you are good at something, chances are you’d stick to it. It’s no different when it comes to exercising. Learning about a fitness program will help you plan your workouts better, correct your form and posture, and help reduce the risk of injuries. It will also help you set informed and realistic goals and work towards them.

5. Reward yourself

There is nothing wrong with rewarding yourself for meeting your fitness goals. Just don’t do it in a way that would reverse your workout efforts. One way to do this is to assign workouts a point value, and once a certain amount of points have been accrued, the reward threshold would have been reached. 

6. Use a step tracker

Many smartwatches and phones have inbuilt pedometers that measure one’s step count fairly accurately. While many people set a goal of 10,000 steps per day, it’s subjective. But aiming to hit a set step count often results in lifestyle modifications such as taking the stairs over the elevator, or parking farther rather than closer to one’s destination. 

7. Look good, feel good

While it is absolutely fine to exercise in that old t-shirt and baggy sweatpants, workout apparel not only help you perform better at the sport but also nudge you to gear up for it. It helps jazz up the motivation factor.  

8. Pump up the jam

Listening to your favorite music can help reduce the sensations of fatigue as well as make your overall workout experience more enjoyable. However, if you are exercising outdoors, make sure you are aware of your surroundings. 

9. Create a pleasant workout space

Many put exercise machines in areas of the home where they don’t actually like being, like a dingy basement or the garage.  You need not allocate a separate room for workouts. Just make sure it’s an area you don’t actually hate being in as that would lead you to make excuses for not working out.  

10. Keep it simple and fun

Generally speaking, the more complicated workouts are, the more tedious they become. It’s essential that you enjoy your fitness sessions. It should not feel like a chore.  

Making a few minor modifications in your lifestyle and inculcating a sense of discipline around fitness can make a huge difference to your overall health. Remember, you are doing it for yourself.