How to Motivate Yourself to Stick to a Workout Plan
Except for the few who are actually very passionate about working out, most people, despite knowing its benefits, find it hard to commit to any form of exercise. Not only is it hard work, but in order to see the results you desire, consistency is key. While it is natural not to be too inclined towards hard work, the importance of exercising has increased dramatically over the past decade. Given how our lives are continuously moving towards increasing levels of comfort, it is essential that we get some physical activity. Regardless of what you do, if possible you should be taking some time out to visit the gym, and if that’s not feasible, you can work out at home using simple equipment. Whichever way you choose, you will need to stick to your plan, for which you should continue reading this article.
Instructions
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1
Take measurements and photos before you start
Before you start any workout plan, it is important that you take measurements and photographs. These are important because they help you assess improvements and progress, which ultimately keep you motivated. Just make sure you measure your chest, arms, waist, shoulder and hips and try to take photos which you can compare yourself to later. -
2
Set realistic goals
It is important not to get carried away with the initial enthusiasm and commit yourself to more than you can do. It is natural for you to feel energetic at the start of your plan, but remember that you will need to stick to it four weeks a month. It is recommended that you set aside three to four days max per week for exercise so that it does not become a burden and a chore. -
3
Start slow
Whether you are strength training, lifting weights or doing aerobics, you need to start slowly. Don’t push yourself into intensive exercises from the start. Even if you feel an exercise is easy to perform, go through with it and raise the number of repetitions or duration slowly, until you start feeling the burn. Jumping into the heavy stuff early on will only make things harder for you. -
4
Watch your diet
Most people don’t realize that exercise alone doesn’t do much. You need to have the essential nutrients in your body which will help it utilize the exercise and build itself. Likewise, if you overeat, you will be wasting your time and effort.
