These hacks won’t be a surprise to you but they might get you motivated and get you going again.
Don’t let yourself get sedentary and find yourself out of shape or worse, unhealthy.
Start slow. Take it one day at a time. Make staying healthy a life long goal.
1) Set An Appointment And Make It A Date
If you set up an ongoing appointment with a friend whose fitness levels are at the same level as yours then your mutual motivation will help each other and you are more likely to stick with an exercise program.
It doesn’t even have to be something formal.
Just a brisk walk in the evening with a friend or spouse will help you get daily movement in your life.
2) Have A Snack
Don’t drastically cut your calories at the same time you start exercising.
If you’re running low on fuel and starting up exercising again you could slow down your metabolism and for sure you won’t feel good.
You don’t want to do this.
Have a snack of complex carbohydrates and proteins to keep your metabolism going and have the energy to exercise.
Note: That’s not the same as snacking all day or eating every 3 hours (that doesn’t work for everyone either).
3) Put Your Shoes On
By making baby steps you will be overcome the urge to stay at home and not make it past your front door.
Once you’ve put on your shoes you will have started yourself on the path to getting out of the house to your workout or take the dog for a walk.
4) Eat Healthier
It doesn’t really matter what you do for exercise and fitness if you eat junk.
A sweet treat or pizza every once in a while is fine but when we eat more fruits, vegetables, and grass-fed/plant-based protein our body will function better.
Note: If you struggle with a diet plan consider a program such as the Isagenix 30 Day System to jump-start your fitness program.
5) Eat Most Of Your Food Early In The Day
By eating the bulk of your calories in the early part of your day you will be able to make it through your workouts throughout the day.
6) Don’t Ruin Your Progress With Cheap Protein Shakes
I know it seems easiest to grab the biggest tub of protein at Walmart but you could be doing more harm than good.
Check the ingredients on your protein to be sure it contains no artificial ingredients such as sweeteners and fillers.
Whey protein is my first choice and I try to stay away from soy.
Some protein shakes to try:
Isagenix Isalean Shakes – These are full meal replacements that are grass-fed whey or plant-based.
Kiss My Keto – They have a variety of keto protein shakes and snacks.
7) Stay Hydrated
Dehydration can drag your energy down.
Even 45 minutes of exercise can make you dehydrated so don’t rely on thirst to provide you a signal to drink water, take a sip every 15-20 minutes while you workout.
If you sweat a lot you might consider taking electrolytes.
Some healthy ones to check out:
Isagenix Hydrate
Coconut Water
Ultima Replenisher
8) Make It Fun
If you’re bored of the same old routine try linking your exercise with an escape, social activity, or happiness.
For example, I make it a point to jump on the trampoline with my daughters a few times a week.
They’ve made up games that tire me out and I consider it exercise. 😆
9) Make It Rewarding
If you make your goals behavior-oriented and reward yourself after performing you may be more likely to stick to your goals and achieve them.
An example would be to set a goal of working out 3 times a week, and once you achieve it give yourself a reward like watching your favorite television show, or getting a massage.
10) Look After A Dog Or Toddler
Almost every dog enjoys a walk and after a few times, they’ll be reminding you it’s time to go!
When my girls were younger we took a walk every day after lunch.
We got some exercise while absorbing some vitamin D plus they were tired for their afternoon nap.
Related: Anti-Aging Life Hacks
11) Try Interval Style Exercise
Interval-style exercise can burn more calories per minute when compared to steady-state cardio.
It also requires less time making it a more effective and time-saving workout.
Related: Key Benefits Of Interval Training
12) Create A Music Playlist
Listening to music while exercising will help you relax your muscles and may encourage blood flow, thus distracting you from fatigue, and help you with your coordination.
Try some of these music apps on your phone:
Fit Radio – is a music-streaming app that also has playlists for guided workouts.
Rock My Run – this fitness app plays music and changes the tempo based on your footfalls or heart rate and keeps track of your runs.
Spring Moves – running and walking music tailored to your taste and rhythm.
13) Cover All Your Bases
By covering these 3 areas of fitness – strength, cardiovascular, and flexibility – you will be able to keep your energy level up, metabolism burning high and your body free from injury.
Try mixing in different workout plans each week.
14) Try A New Video Program
There are endless free workouts online.
Some to check out:
FitnessBlender.com – They have 100’s of free and paid videos. With their free account, you can set up a workout calendar which makes it easy to stay on track. I also like that they are modestly dressed and safe for family use.
Daily Burn – Their 30-day free trial offer gives you access to thousands of different workouts videos.
Amazon – Don’t forget Amazon as a source for new workouts and if you have Prime many of them are free.
15) Change Up Your Workout
If you’re finding that your workout is no longer giving you benefits then change any one of these things at a time: the intensity of the exercise, the frequency of your exercise, or the duration of your exercise.
Try changing something once a month and see if your results change.
Related: 11 Sports That Burn Fat
16) Start Changing Your Frequency First
If you are working out once a week, try adding in more workouts during your week.
Once you have made your exercise a habit you will be able to start increasing the intensity and duration of each workout.
17) Develop Realistic Expectations
Within 3 days your heart should become more efficient, and you’ll find that running upstairs is no longer an exhausting effort.
Other things such as changes in fat percentage, muscle development, and weight might take a little longer, up to 2 months even.
18) Do Some Chores The “Old Fashioned Way”
Instead of using the remote, get up and switch the channels on the tv or open your garage door manually.
Some of these labor-saving devices have lowered the number of calories we burn each week.
19) Invest In A trainer
You’ll be able to have fine-tuned workouts that produce extra results without wasting your own time and effort if you hire a personal trainer.
They will be able to schedule follow-up visits and keep you accountable.
If you can’t get to the gym or have the extra money to get a trainer go back to #13.
20) Don’t Forget Weight Training
With weight training, you could start to see health benefits even before you start doing cardio.
Weight training helps develop strength in important areas such as the trunk, lower back, and hip area.
The stronger you are, the less likely you’ll get injured running or in a fitness class.
Read more: Why I Love Pushups And You Should Too
21) Move At Every Chance
You might be lulled into thinking “I’ve already done my workout today, I don’t need to exert any more effort”.
Consider challenging that reasoning by using all opportunities to work your body.
✔At the grocery store use a basket instead of a shopping cart.
✔Move some objects by hand instead of using a wheelbarrow.
✔Mow your neighbor’s lawn (or your own if you don’t already)
✔If you have stairs in your home run them a few times before you sit down to dinner
22) Take Care Of Injuries
If you have an injury it is important to seek medical help, if you continue to train with an injury it could put you out of action for longer and set back your fitness goals.
If you are just sore consider a foam roller (my husband’s go-to tool) or check out the Fascia Blaster (it is my go-to tool) to help your muscles recover.
23) Get A Health Check-up
If you’re going to be at the doctor’s anyway, get your blood work done.
You will be able to see if your exercise efforts have helped with your cholesterol, blood sugar, and triglycerides levels.
By tracking this data you will be able to track your progress in the future.
24) Get A Referral
If you’ve been injured and been told to rest and recover, ask your doctor for a referral to a physical therapist.
They might be able to show you alternative exercises you can do in the meantime that could include appropriate stretches, alternative weight exercises, or even yoga.
25) Reclaim Control
If you’ve been injured and unable to work out, you can still control your eating.
Keeping a strong focus and mindset with your eating habits will translate into your workout habits once you have recovered from injury.
Read more: Intermittent Fasting Can Help You Get Control Of Your Food Intake Easier Than You Think
26) Keep A Workout Journal
Write down how you feel after every workout, and anytime you feel that you don’t have the motivation to workout have a look at your journals.
They will remind you of how you feel when you work out and help you get over your motivation issues.
27) Use A Fitness Tracker
My daughters love to track their steps on their FitBit so they can see how far they walk each day.
They log their distance and attempt to beat it the next workout.
Trackers make it fun to connect with your friends so you hold each other accountable.
Some to check out:
Strava– This one tracks & analyzes while allowing you to share, connect, and compete with your friends.
Nike+Run Club – This App includes GPS, tracking, challenges, guided runs, and coaching plans.
Simple Pedometer – I actually prefer to use a cheap tracker so I don’t waste time with setup and helps me disconnect.
28) Remember Why You Started
If you remember the original goals of why you are working out in the first place it will help you stay on track.
Whether it is to fit into a certain pair of jeans or whatever reason, it will get you into the gym and working out.
Read more: Why Ignoring Your Why Is Why You Aren’t Losing Weight
29) Try Group Fitness
By being in a group the energy of the other people in your group will keep you from quitting and also help you stay accountable.
You don’t want to be that person who quits early right?
My friend loves Camp Gladiator and finds it motivates her to get out of bed to workout with like-minded people.
30) Get Addicted To The Post-Exercise Endorphin Rush
Sometimes knowing that after a good workout, you will have an amazing endorphin rush afterward may be all the motivation you will need!
31) Make Your Exercise Your Favorite Thing
If you are doing your favorite activity as your form of exercise you may never need to motivate yourself again.
If you don’t have a favorite, keep trying new things until you do.
32) Enjoy The Journey
Sometimes the destination isn’t the best part of the journey. Learn to enjoy the process of getting fit and into good health.
I’d love to know what keeps you motivated!
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