One of the things that everyone has problems sticking to is a workout or exercise plan. This is especially true during this time of the year. One way I’ve tried to combat this is by creating what I call tiny workout habits. Rather than go to the gym or stick to some weight lifting regimen my actual targets for exercise are relatively low.
Most of the time my exercise goals are something so small it’s ridiculous, five pushups every other day and ten bodyweight squats on the days I don’t. The magic is what happens after you finish. Once I’m done doing five pushups I suddenly think to myself, “Wow, while I’m down here I may as well max out.”
Same thing works for running. If you set a goal of running for sixty seconds per day you’ll find yourself on long runs in no time. No one ever whines about changing into their gym clothes, it’s always the work itself. Make the work so minuscule you can’t fail and you’ll quickly find yourself pushing to do more. Plus, if you really are having a lazy day the five pushups is still a hell of a lot better than nothing.
Agreed. The first rep is the hardest!
I gotta say though, at least in cold climates, sometimes putting on the gym clothes *is* a struggle. The warmth of the fireplace just won’t let me go…
Haha I live in the desert and stopped running outside as soon as it got cold.
Oh my, and I thought I was bad. I workout every day, but as I am not hitting the gym in the past month I feel awful as if my body is decomposing. Finally found the resources and money for the gym membership, and also got my supplements back.
It’s time to get back on track. Going back to weight lifting from today or from tomorrow. But than again, I’ve missed only 1 day of working out in the morning, since the new year.
Yeah I know that wasting away feeling all too well. But congrats on only missing one workout this year! Keep it up!