Move!

We humans are designed to move. And exercise is just moving with purpose! Movement is another fundamental aspect of good health, so here are some ideas of how you make it easier to get the exercise you need.

Plan It

First, exercise usually doesn’t happen as an afterthought. To exercise regularly and consistently, plan it into your day. Ask yourself: What time of day will work best with my schedule to work out? What exercise will I do? Do I have a friend who can join me? Like meal planning, scheduling when you will exercise is the best way to make it happen.

Keep it Simple

Keep it simple. It helps when your workout doesn’t require a lot of preparation. Getting to the gym is great, but can take a lot of effort—finding your workout bag, driving to the gym, parking, finding a locker, changing, waiting for exercise equipment, etc. By this point, you’ve already made a lot of decisions, each requiring little bursts of self-discipline and mental energy. So another option would be to get your shoes on, step out your front door, turn left, and WALK!

Make it Routine

Make it a ritual. Simple strategies such as picking out your workout clothes the night before, putting on your exercise clothes when you first get up in the morning, or putting your running shoes in plain view are helpful for getting in the routine of exercise. Those kinds of decisions will help build momentum and the rest will come more easily. Also, while routine is important, feel free to mix things up too! Don’t be afraid to change routes, go a bit farther, or join up with friends or family. Keep it interesting and enjoyable.

Have a Plan

Finally, have a backup plan. If you happen to injure yourself, get bored, or your workout partner is out of town, you don’t want to be out of commission and lose your momentum. Have a backup workout, like cycling, swimming, or resistance training, to help cross train and keep your workouts fresh.