5 Tips On Starting An Exercise Program

Thursday, I wrote a post about getting motivated, which you can read here: http://myrandommusings.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/time-to-get-started-5-tips-to-get-you.html
I was also asked to write a post on being motivated to start an exercise programme. The post from Thursday will still help you get started, but with an exercise programme there are a few more things to consider. Are you:
*trying to lose weight?
*add muscle mass?
*generally get fitter?
as there are different programmes for each one. It would be majorly demotivating to put all the work in and go up a dress size when you are trying to lose weight because you are following the wrong work out programme. This site http://www.aworkoutroutine.com/the-ultimate-weight-training-workout-routine/ has lots of good workout programs and articles designed to help you create a program that works for you.
So aside from the 5 tips in the original post I would add the following 5 tips for an exercise program:

1. Set clear, achievable goals

Depending on how far you have to go, an exercise program can seem daunting. Set smaller milestones to hit along the way.

 

2. Invest in some quality workout shoes

I am not one of those people who thinks the gym is somewhere for you to model the latest fitness fashion (unless you want to then why not?) but blistered, painful feet are a good way to put yourself off. Find a pair of trainers that are comfortable and fit well.

 

3. Give yourself a break

Don't let exercise take over your whole life. If there is an event you want to attend on a workout day, switch your workout to a different day. If that doesn't work, go anyway - if you miss 1 day it's not the end of the world! Don't give up. Just start again on your next scheduled day.

 

 

4. Get a workout buddy

A workout buddy can be a great way to keep you on track. You can motivate each other to keep it up, push each other through barriers and celebrate each other's successes. This can also be good if you are quite competitive and don't want to be seen to quit. If this isn't going to work for you, maybe consider keeping a diary of your workouts and milestones on your blog or social media.

 

 

5. Turning up is 90% of the battle

I read this one somewhere years ago and thought it sounded like crap if I'm being totally honest. I was wrong. If I could only give you one tip, this would be it. Basically, even if you don't feel like working out, turn up. Tell yourself if you get there and still don't want to do it you won't. Chances are once you are there, in your workout clothes, you will complete your workout. I know it sounds stupid but just give it a go - it really does work!

 

 

If you are starting a program, good luck! Let me know what got you motivated to start an exercise plan.

 

Follow me on Twitter @randommusings29 and feel free to comment :)



Time To Get Started - 5 Tips To Get You Motivated!

 

 

With a lot of tasks, getting started is the hardest part. I am going to share with you my top 5 tips to get you motivated to start any task.

 

 

1. Decide exactly what it is you want to do

Don't flit from task to task. Decide exactly what it is you want to achieve and stick with it, whether it's baking a special cake, loosing a stone, writing a book, increasing your social media following, starting a blog, changing jobs, anything you want to do.

 

 

2. Do some research

There is nothing more off putting for me than getting part way through a task and realising you don't have what you need to complete it. Research your task. What do you need to know to complete it? Do you need to learn any new skills? Write a list.

 

 

3. Build your foundations

Look back over the list you created in step two, and work through it. Depending on what the task is and how much you need to learn or acquire to complete it, this can take a while. Don't get disheartened - remember by completing your preparation, you are making the task it's self a whole lot less stressful.

 

 

4. Visualize your desired outcome

Picture the end result - whether that's a beautifully iced cake, 1000 Twitter followers or a new career. Allow yourself to think about how you will feel when you get there, and whenever the task seems too much, remind yourself of how incredible that moment is going to feel.

 

 

5. Make a realistic schedule

So now you have a clear goal in mind and all the tools in place to achieve it. You know how good it will feel when you reach your target. Now it's time to make a plan. For example, revamp your CV, and apply to three jobs a week in the relevant field. Don't make the plan too unrealistic or you will get disheartened, but don't make it too easy either - you want to push yourself to get this done. I find going public helps.

For years I've said I will write a novel and never gotten around to it. I have since followed these steps, and announced on my blog that I am going to do it. I now have the first 10,000 words written!

 

And in the words of Nike, Just Do It!

 

Thanks to @avwoerkom for the topic suggestion of motivation :)

 

I hope you have found these tips useful! Now go and achieve your dreams! Good luck. Let me know how you get on.

 

Follow me on Twitter @randommusings29 and feel free to comment :) 

G Is For Getting Motivated

Day 7 of my A to Z Challenge. G is for Getting motivated. 

If you don't know how this works, I've posted the link back to the rules of the challenge at the end of this, along with a link to yesterday's post. If you want to read my full alphabet, just keep following the links. Each day has a link back to yesterday's post.

Sometimes it’s hard to get motivated to start something. It’s not always even that the thing you are putting off is something particularly horrible. You might find you even enjoy it once you start. It’s just the thought of where to start sometimes. I am the world’s worst for this, so as such I’ve tried to develop ways to get motivated. Obviously, it depends on what you are going to be doing, but I generally find the following helps me:

1.Set a realistic goal and stick to it. If, like me, you are a procrastinator, limit yourself. For example, I will have five minutes on Facebook/Twitter/whatever your distraction is rather than saying I’m just going to pop on for a bit. A “bit” is too general and you will still be there 3 hours later. Time yourself and come off after the five minutes.

2.Reward yourself for doing it. For example, when I’ve done an hour/halfway through or whatever you would like to measure by, I’ll have a cup of coffee/a biscuit/5 minutes in the sun. Whatever you will look forward to doing to encourage you to press on.

3.Visualise the finished result. Whether its cleaning out your closet, losing 5 pounds, decorating a room, or finally writing that blog post you’ve had floating around your head all week, think about how accomplished and happy you will feel when it’s done.

4.Listen to music. This may sound stupid, but listening to a real kick ass song, with a bit of beat really gets me in the mood to get moving!

5.Do it. Do it now. Most importantly, don’t let yourself off too easily. Give yourself a good ass kicking when it’s deserved, and in the words of Nike – Just do it!

I hope you find these tips helpful. What else would you add to the list?

Follow me on Twitter @randommusings29 and feel free to comment :)

Link to rules: http://myrandommusings.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/a-z-challenge-whos-with-me.html

Link to F is for Faking It!: http://myrandommusings.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/f-is-for-faking-it.html