We’ve all been there before. You miss your scheduled day of exercise which then turns into a week and then into a month. Missing one day of exercise is not the end of the world, but it is crucial to pay attention to the following week. Once you miss an entire week, you will likely spiral into exercise relapse.
Follow these five steps to get you back on track quickly when exercise relapse is looming around the corner.
1. Examine Your Obstacles
Obstacles, we all have them. Examine your obstacles such as: I don’t have time, kids, job, and find a way around them. To use a quote from Michael Jordan, “Obstacles don’t have to stop you,” he observed. “If you run into a wall, don’t turnaround and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or workaround it.” Look for ways around these barriers that come up for you. Sit down and look at your schedule. Find 10 minute increments for some movement and schedule it. Consistency is key for long term benefits.
2. Remind Yourself of the Benefits
You started exercising for a reason…what were they? Weight management, better mood, more energy, improved health? There are so many benefits; keep reminding yourself how much better you feel when you are active.
3. Don’t Get Bored
Often times you fall out of practice because you get bored with your exercise regime. Change it up! Think outside the box. Exercise comes in all kinds of different forms. Remember, doing something is better than doing nothing at all.
4. Find Hobbies You Enjoy That Involve Movement
This is a lesson I learned from my grandmother. She always stayed in shape, by doing things she enjoyed and finding ways to be active in her daily life. She was on a weekly bowling league; she loved to garden, swim, and would walk to run small errands. Imagine, in a week she would go walking 5 days, swimming 3 days, bowling 1 day and do some gardening 1 day. She had a full week of exercise from her hobbies. Think of ways you can contribute to your total activity with things you consider hobbies or just plain fun.
5. If All Else Fails…
Turn on your favorite music and dance in your living room. If you are single…no one will see you. If you have a family, have them join in. Your kids will love it! This works especially well while making dinner…talk about multi-tasking. No matter what, just keep some movement every week even if you do your exercise routine.
