Just Life

10 tips for sticking with your fitness routine.

…I’m fortunate – this has never been a problem for me. I really enjoy working out. really. pretty much everything about it. pushing myself and every so often being surprised by what I can do. getting into that zen place mid-way through a run where it’s all about the rhythm of my feet hitting the ground keeping time with my breathing. sore muscles telling me they did something new the day before. yep, all of that makes me happy (and strong) and I guess that’s really why I keep showing up, on average about six days a week, to exercise.

from mapmyrun (see #4)

absent that, this week Carole’s asked about sticking with it. here are ten things that might get me there…and keep me there:

1. workout with a friend.

2. or a trainer (or better yet, both!)

3. join a gym.

4. make a goal and log your progress (my goal is to run a half marathon mid-March at a 10-minute pace – I just started using mapmyrun; love this summary page that shows my total mileage and my average pace and there’s an app for my phone)

5. reward yourself periodically for doing it.

6. get the right equipment. shoes, bra, socks, water bottle. it feels better.

7. make appointments on your calendar. if you’re working out with a friend or a trainer, this is a no-brainer, but if it’s just you, having that time blocked off will make sure you have the time to do it.

8. find exercises that work for you. I don’t like cycling, or stairclimbing, but I’m fine with a treadmill. I much prefer free weights to machines. I love taking classes (that “trainer” aspect of having someone tell me what to do).

9. mix it up. different scenery. different muscles. different faces. keeps it interesting.

10. lululemon.

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10 thoughts on “10 tips for sticking with your fitness routine.”

  1. I will have to check out lululemon. You are lucky that you like to work out. I am hoping to get to that place one day.

    1. lululemon is a dangerous place for your pocketbook. but there's nothing like workout clothes that look and feel great to get you motivated!!

  2. I used to hate working out and I absolutely loathed sweating. Now I've learned to enjoy it and sweating from all that hard work is my badge of honor! I use Run Keeper for the same reasons you use Map My Run and it's really useful for setting goals and keeping track of my miles.

    1. I almost wrote about loving the sweat…but that was just a bit much at 7am 🙂 it's true though, isn't it? it feels really good.Katie told me about Map My Run so I didn't really check out anything else. I do think having the app on my phone is a great bonus. especially the maps. now that my saturday runs are getting longer, I'm trying out new routes and hopefully the map will keep me from getting lost!great topic!!

  3. i totally agree with your list. i've always enjoy working out for the same reasons you posted. i love the invigorating post workout shower too. having apps to help keep track of progress is one of the greatest inventions for working out. i use strava for my cycling.

  5. I don't like sitting on those machines either, give me some free weights any day. I've got to get an app going. I've got map my run on the computer but not the phone. Love your progress Mary!Also considering a trainer for the spring…

  6. Kudos to you and looking fwd to your run! Know that I am and will be on the virtual sidelines, cheering you on! Think I'll check out the apps – they work for walking too, surely.Cheers~

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