7 ways to make sure you never miss a workout.

Most weeks can be a blur of working long work hours, household tasks, responsibilities, time with family and sleeping. Finding the time for exercise can be tough, yet the busiest people will never miss a workout.

The key is to make your workout time work for you. Below are some key strategies that work for even the busiest person.

1. Communicate with others what you are going to do – Sharing what exercise you want to do with others will get you fuelled with energy and enthusiasm and out of your slump. Share with the people that you see every day (your family, friends, close work colleagues) all the details of the activity (when you will go, duration, what you will wear, how you will feel when you are finished etc) Nothing stimulates you more to get into action than your integrity which is doing what you say you will do.

2. Keep your workouts fun or interesting. The best exercise to do is the one you enjoy doing. Exercise that you don’t enjoy is a killer. If there is one sure way to be turned off regular exercise, it would be that you are not looking to make the experience enjoyable. Plug in a set of headphones the next time you jump on the treadmill and watch your favourite TV shows or sporting action, or listen to your favourite music while out walking. Keep it fun so you can count on coming back for more. Can’t find regular activity you like? Be patient; if you are having difficulty choosing or sticking to an activity. It may take quite a few tries before you feel like something clicks.

3. Schedule daily exercise in your calendar/diary. ‘Not enough time,’ ‘too busy’ and ‘can’t afford it’ are all just forms of a sickness called Excuse-i-tis. Establish a regular schedule for physical activity. Be active while watching TV. Ride a stationary bike, walk on the treadmill, step up and down on a step/bench, use some dumbbells, or do some stretching during your favourite TV shows...just get up and get moving more often!

4. Focus quality rather than quantity. You don’t need to work out for a long period of time to get the results you need. Be realistic about what you actually want to achieve for your fitness and seek out professional guidance to give you some pointers in the right direction. There is an old saying in the fitness industry “You can work hard and you can work long...but you can’t do both!”
5. Wake up 30 minutes earlier. Take a brisk walk around your neighbourhood. Research has shown that people who start off their day with exercise are more likely to stick with it.

6. Get Social. Sign up at a dance club, hiking group, bowling league, or golf association and get active while meeting other people.

7. Invest in your health. Making a financial commitment to a Personal Trainer, company fitness classes, fitness gym or local sporting organization may be all the incentive you need. Get in a session before work. The bulk of people find they are best to go straight from work before going home to avoid procrastination.

Written by Chris Bakens