You start a new exercise plan for the umpteenth time, and in less than two weeks you have stopped. Why? Unfortunately, our current rhythm of life serves us on a platter with a lot of excuses. There are them for all tastes: “work does not leave me time”, “the gym is very expensive”, “these days I have not stopped”…
But the reality is that, when this is repeated more than once and with different reasons, none of them is the true one. Do not be ashamed of it, the initial resistance to adopting new habits affects us all, and what you have to do is face it without hesitation. Are you determined that this time is the final one? Join us in this article to see how to make your intentions to exercise not just stop there.
4 ideas to train without being lazy with you
Do you need motivation to exercise every day? Do you want laziness not to beat you when it comes to going to the gym? We give you some very practical ideas to find the time you need to exercise and get in shape:
1. Set yourself short-term goals
The motivation is the basis of any activity take place. Without good motivation to push you to achieve the desired results, chances are high that you will end up losing the battle against laziness. For this reason, it is necessary that you focus on what you want to achieve and, above all, why you want to achieve it.
It is not the same to just want to get in shape, than to prepare a specific amateur event or competition in which you are excited to participate, for example. Similarly, set small goals within your reach. If you want to end up being able to run 10 kilometers, start with 4 the first two weeks, and go to 5 in the next two. In this way, each little success will push you to the next.
2. The 21-day rule applies
The consistency is essential in any effort and activity. An old study by William James, the father of scientific psychology, states that it takes 21 days of continuity for a particular activity to become a habit. More recent studies hold that this time is different for each person and specific activity, but it is still a more than valid reference time.
If you stick to your exercise or training routine for 21 days, you’re much less likely to give it up. To achieve this, schedule your weekly training and be especially inflexible during the first days. Once the initial resistance is overcome and the habit is formed, your own body will ask you not to skip it.
3. Go to a 24-hour gym
If you have a complicated work schedule, there are gyms and sports centers 24 hours a day, especially in large cities. These can be a very good option to start exercising in a supervised way and with freedom of schedules. However, their availability can be quite limited, and not everyone is lucky enough to have one around.
In addition, as if you decide to change the gym, it is important that you do not have to make long trips to it. Having to go through more than half an hour of transportation each day can be a major demotivating factor.
4. Try exercising at home or outdoors
If you dare to do the exercise at home or on your own, you will find a lot of advantages. The first and most obvious is the economic one, by saving the monthly fee. However, keep in mind that you will also need to purchase some basic supplies, such as dumbbells or mats. Setting up a small home gym is a very good guarantee that you will use it, but avoid spending too much money.
There are a large number of exercises and routines that can be done with very little material, or even in the facilities that you can find in many parks. If you train on your own, remember to educate yourself on how to properly perform each exercise to avoid injury. There are lots of manuals and videos from professionals that you can consult to learn new routines safely.
