There is no question that introducing some level of fitness routine into your life will up-level it significantly. But how do you make it a consistent part of your life? I have been working out on a regular basis for a really long time now and am truly in the best physical shape of my life. I workout 5-7 times a week and it’s such an ingrained habit and something I look forward to so much that my day feels off when I take a rest day. It wasn’t always that way for me though, and it got me curious about what I did in order to make it become a habit. Here are 4 key steps:

  1. Do something. It doesn’t matter where you start. Experiment and be willing to try anything at least once, but figure out what you like. Do you like to workout alone, or do you prefer a partner or group? Do you like equipment or videos (streaming or DVD) or both? Do you like cardio or weights or a mixture, etc.? Decide what you like to do and do it.
  2. Figure out what time of day works best for you. If you’re able to do it the same time each day, you’re much more likely to keep doing it. Do you like mornings? Or do you prefer more of an afternoon de-stressor workout? Maybe you prefer to break-up your day with a lunch workout.
  3. Be sure you have good fitting workout clothes and shoes. They don’t have to be pricey, but they better feel good on. The better they feel, the more likely you will put them on.
  4. Have everything, and I mean everything ready to go the day before so no time is spent trying to find what you need in order to workout and then giving up because by the time you have it all together you’re out of time. Water bottle, shoes, clothes, what workout you’re going to do (so DVD or streaming device ready to go or bag ready for the gym), and a backup plan.

Let me explain how I figured this out and see if you can relate to any of this.

When I was young, I hated to do anything that made me the least bit hot – and it was completely unacceptable to break a sweat. But one day I went over to my mother-in-law’s house and she was working out to a Tae Bo video, sweating and seeming to be enjoying herself. What!? In those days she was watching a VHS tape. (If you’ve never heard of Tae Bo, I highly recommend you Google and check it out). I remember thinking she had such a great body and she was beautiful and here I am 20 years younger in terrible shape. In that moment I knew something had to change.

So I started trying things out. At that time my kids were young and I was short on free time, so going to a gym was out. Plus I didn’t like showering at the gym and I didn’t like driving home sweaty. I started walking on a used treadmill in my home, barefoot, for 20 minutes 3 times per week. No sweat (no really, no sweat). Then I started wearing shoes. Then I got bored and figured out that if I watched action-packed shows while I walked, it actually made me want to run (part of the time). Pretty soon the 20-minutes were too easy and I eventually amped it up to breaking a sweat. Woo-hoo!

I was still pretty inconsistent in my workouts and was getting bored on the treadmill, so asked my mother-in-law if I could borrow one of her VHS tapes. She lent me a beginner video and I never gave it back (sorry Patty!). It was so hard at first, but I was determined because if she could do it, well you know. And I gave myself a lot of grace to go super slow until I gradually wanted more. So then I tried Zumba, but again, my workouts weren’t really consistent, maybe 3 days a week and sometimes in the afternoon, sometimes in the morning.

I finally figured out I didn’t like lunch or afternoon workouts because I didn’t like showering twice (also took more time), so I committed to working out before my shower. One obstacle gone. I also realized my workouts were easier without food in my stomach (not for everyone but made a huge difference for me). Again I was still not consistent. Then I realized I would often feel like I didn’t have time to get the full workout in so wouldn’t do it, because I was running around trying to find clothes or shoes or dang forgot the water bottle. So I created a space for all of my workout clothes, socks, shoes, water bottle and sweat towels, and they stay in this convenient space always. I never have to search for what I need to workout. My videos are ready to go, my equipment is working, and if I have a backup plan for when one kind of workout doesn’t work – DVD player fritzes out or internet goes down and I can’t stream one. That was the final piece that has kept me consistent and loving it.

Oh and to keep things interesting and my body always wondering what’s next, I’ll try anything at least once. I’ve tried yoga, Zumba, varieties of Pilates, tons of Tae Bo, Treadmill, outdoor running/walking, Fluidity, just to name some of my favorites. I love them all.

So what are you waiting for? Well stop it! Don’t wait another day. I’ve got a great program that will take this deeper and have you working out consistently in no time. Go to my site to schedule time to meet with me. And if you’d like to get periodic emails when I post a blog along with special updates from me, sign up below!