Why do so many people fail with their exercise program? Do they get tired of doing the same old workout, get in a rut, or expect results too soon?
The five most common reasons people give up on their exercising programs are usually these:
1. They try to do much too soon.
2. They have unreasonable expectations.
3. They get discouraged quickly when not seeing results as soon as they believe they should.
4. They lose their motivation.
5. They get bored, usually caused by doing the same routine over and over again, and not including variety in their workouts.
These are the most common reasons that many exercise programs don't seem to stick, and addressing them will help keep you on track with the workout side of our fitness and weight loss goals. So let's get moving! We will take a look at each of the areas and find out what we can do to get and keep our motivation!
Don't overdo it!
When you start out on any new workout program, start slowly. Begin with 10 or 15 minutes per day for the first week or so, don't try to start out doing the entire 45 minute workout. You have to work up to this level, if you try to do it all in the beginning, it will be detrimental to you, and can be risky! Start out slowly, build up your workout time as you go. Try adding an extra five minutes every 3-4 days.
Another thing that people get discouraged about is that they expect to see results in one week, and that doesn't happen. Your body didn't get into the shape it is in now overnight, so don't expect your workout routine to change your body overnight! It will take a few weeks before you begin seeing results. Try to have a little patience.
Switch it up! Don't do the same old routine day after day after day. For example, one day do some yoga or pilates. These types of exercises are great for lengthening and toning muscles.
The next day, do some cardio. Run, do jumping jacks, jumping squats, anything that will get your heart rate up. If you enjoy riding a bicycle, do that a couple of days a week. Squats and lunges are two of the most effective exercises for your legs and glutes, and if you do jumping squats and lunges, they are even more effective.
A couple of times per week, do some weight training exercise. You do not have to have a weight bench or 100 lb weights to do this. Just a couple of 8 - 10 lb hand weights work great! Do squats while holding your weights, lay on the floor and lift them to work the chest area, etc. Working out with weights increases metabolism and burns fat faster than working out without weights!
Try not to get discouraged so easily. If you keep exercising, don't make excuses why you don't have time or can't exercise today, you will see results in a fairly short time, and then you will actually look forward to your workouts! When your mind is in tune with your body, you will actually want to work out more, as unbelievable as that may sound right now.
Just do it - don't give up! In a few months, your new body will make you glad that you persevered! You will love looking in the mirror every day. |
