4 Ways to Stick to Your Workout Plan

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Sticking to a regular exercise routine is one of the best things you can do to live a happy and healthy life.

After all, exercising regularly not only helps you maintain a healthy weight and increase your energy levels, but it also boosts your brainpower and prevents a plethora of health issues.

But here’s the tricky part.

Making exercise a part of daily routine can be quite tricky—you’ll need the right mindset and a smart approach. Otherwise, you won’t get far.

So how do you stay on track with your workout plan?

If you’re having trouble sticking to your workout plan, then you’re in the right place.  In today’s article, I’ll share with you a few practical ways to help make training more consistent.

Sounds good?

Let’s get started.

1. Be Realistic

If you’re looking to build muscle, lose weight, and also increase endurance and run a marathon while getting a six-pack, it can only result in one thing—failure.

You can only go after so many things at once, and these goals will pull your body and training routine in completely separate directions.

So what’s a better approach?

Instead of trying to chew more than you can swallow, start slow.

Never ran a mile in your life? Don’t lose sleep over not being able to complete a 5K distance. Instead, walk for one hour or alternate running and walking intervals until you build enough endurance to last the whole 3.1-mile distance.

Don’t think, just go for it.

You also need to work out within your limits. Aim to complete no more than three workouts per week at first and then gradually add to it.  If you push your body too much, you’ll end up sore and miserable, and even injured and burned out. (Read also: 7 Obvious Signs Your Running Form Is Off)

2. Partner up

Pounding the pavement or hitting the gym solo may help you relieve stress, but, often, pairing with a partner makes exercise more fun, thus more likely to stick with.

What’s more?

You’re less likely to bail when you have a session planned with someone else. It also makes your workout seem like a fun social activity instead of a chore.

Look for someone who shares your fitness vision and your commitment to getting fit and staying healthy. Share with them your exact fitness plan for the day and let them how and when you’ll train.

3. Keep a Schedule

What’s the most common excuse for skipping exercise?

Lack of time.

So how do you overcome it?

Simple. Schedule your workouts like any other important appointment, then build your life around it. This will help change your approach to exercise. Instead of treating it as a burden or chore, it becomes another essential habit in your daily routine.

As a general rule, aim to exercise at least three times a week. The more, the merrier—as long as you’re listening to your body and taking enough recovery.

Stick to your scheduled sessions long enough, and it will eventually become a habit. For more leverage, post your fitness routine on a calendar or daily planner in a prominent spot at home and work. This should make it easier to monitor your workouts and different exercises. It also helps give the big image of what’s going on.

4. Draft A Self Contract

Want to achieve better consistency? Then I recommend you draft a self contract so you’ll stay focused on your fitness goals.

A self contract stands for any sort of commitment where you write down your goals and vision as well as how to achieve it. Often, it also describes in detail any rewards for carrying through as well as any punishment for breaking the contract. It’s a promise to yourself to do whatever it takes to make your goals a reality.

And don’t get discouraged. Creating a self contract is really simple. Here’s what you need to include in it:

1. Your short term goals
2. Your long term goals
3. The steps you need to take to achieve these goals
4. A list of your excuses and limitations
5. Rewards
6. Punishment
7. The contract deadline—the date by which you should reach a particular goal
8. Your signature and date of signature.

See, a self contract doesn’t have to be legalese or complicated. As long as you keep it concise and formal, you’re on the right path. It’s the formality that gives it an air of importance.

Conclusion

There you have it. By implementing the above guidelines into your daily routine, you’ll undoubtedly achieve better consistency with your workout routine. Now it’s just a matter of taking action and being a little bit patient. The rest is just detail.

Please feel free to leave your comments and questions in the section below.

In the meantime, thank you for dropping by.

Keep exercising hard.

About The Author:

David Dack is an established fitness blogger and running expert. When he’s not training for his next marathon, he’s doing research and trying to help as many people as possible to share his fitness philosophy. Check his blog Runners Blueprint for more info.