This original article by Helen Mitas was previously published on Woman With Drive
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Isn’t it crazy that we place something like a business or our career so far ahead of our health and wellbeing?
We plan to hit the gym after work but then a difficult day derails that resolve and the next thing we know, we are on the couch with a tub of ice cream. So we then promise ourselves that there is always tomorrow or the next day or someday.
Andrea, one of my clients, had agreed after our therapy session to commit to a daily exercise routine for a whole week. When I saw her next I asked about that fitness plan, and she confessed that she had not exercised for even a day because she had been “too busy at work”.
After talking it over, we pinpointed the root of the matter as her failure to prioritise her health above her work. This, in fact, was a habit she had cultivated for years. When we delved into the details, she reluctantly accepted that the business would not have suffered if she had spent that time from her desk and at the gym.
All Andrea needed to do now was dedicate some time to properly plan how her fitness regime could fit into her daily routine. By doing that a seemingly impossible problem was resolved with a very simple solution.
Here are eight KICK ASS ways to making sure your fitness time is non-negotiable!
1. SCHEDULE IT
Write down your daily workout session in your diary and calendar as you would other important appointments. And yes, it has to be daily. Exercising a few times a week will not create a new habit.
2. START WITH 30 MINUTES
You do not need to exercise for hours to see and feel the results. Just 30 minutes is all you need to fire up your metabolism. It is not difficult to go for a 15-minute brisk walk in one direction and then turn around for the 15-minute walk back. As this habit becomes established, gradually increase the length of your workout by five minutes each time.
3. SET REASONABLE, MEASURABLE GOALS
We set goals in all other areas of our lives yet we pretty much muddle our way through our fitness goals. We know we want to feel better and be healthier but that is about as far as we get. You are more likely to exercise and stick to your plan if you set a reasonable and measurable goals that boost your confidence as you draw closer to achieving them.
4. MAKE IT FUN
Exercise does not have to be boring! Spice it up by creating a custom playlist for your run or go to a funky Zumba class. The idea is to try different types of workouts or to work out in new ways.
5. GET MOVING AT SUNRISE
It can be extremely difficult after a long and stressful day at work to even think about working out. So move your workout to early mornings instead. The benefit is twofold –your workout will not be impacted by a bad day, and you will be in a wonderful mood for the rest of the day.
6. CHART YOUR PROGRESS
Keeping a diary will remind you of how far you have come. Recording each time you hit a new goal will wire your brain for success and keep you motivated when you fall off the bandwagon.
7. BE ACCOUNTABLE
Instead of catching up with a friend over coffee and cake, arrange to catch up for a run or at the gym. You will be less likely to hit the snooze button knowing that someone is expecting you to show up. The more the merrier is a popular sentiment because it is true!
8. PRACTICE POSITIVE VISUALISATION
Every night visualise returning from your workout the next morning. How do you feel, look and even smell? The more detailed the visualisation, the more likely your subconscious mind will believe it and help you manifest it as your reality.
