We’re back!! We hope you are having a wonderful National Physical Fitness and Sports Month.
In our last installment of Getting Healthy, we went over how to create a S.M.A.R.T. goal. If you’re new to the blog, you can {{cta(‘9da6059c-6d7b-45e2-8183-18b4859c274e’)}}!
Sometimes that’s just hard. Your alarm is waking you up too early. Your body is sore while you’re trying to get used to the new routine, and more than anything you just want to curl up back in bed and go to sleep.
We completely understand! Working out and getting healthy is hard. It’s why so many people struggle to do it, but that doesn’t make it any less important.
When you’re more physically fit, you have more energy and are more alert. When your energy and alertness increases, creativity and focus improves as well, leading to a more productive day and better work!
Check out these five tips to help you keep your commitment to your S.M.A.R.T. goals and “Let’s Get Physical!”
Find Your Motivation
A 2009 study from the University College London found that, on average, people form habits in 66 days. That’s a little more than 2 months. So what do you do until that habit is formed and you need help pulling yourself out of the bed?
You find your motivation! It can as simple as printing out a picture of a dress that you would like to wear to an event later this year and pinning it to your bedroom wall where you can easily see it. Or it can be something more complicated like creating a board on Pinterest that is full of motivational quotes for you to look through when you’re having a bad day.
Another suggestion is setting your alarm to go off to a motivating song. Nothing says, “Good morning! Let’s go beast!” like waking up to “Eye of the Tiger” or “Gonna Fly Now.” You’ll see Rocky running and training in your mind, and the next thing you know you’ll be pounding out those push-ups!
Find an Accountability Partner
Even after you form that habit, sometimes getting up is hard. Knowing that you have someone to answer to or waiting for you makes getting up and working out easier.
Talk to a friend or someone you know who has a similar goal as you and set aside a scheduled time for you to focus on your goals. Meet them at the park or gym and workout together. Or, if you’re long-distance, call them as you go for your daily walk and talk as you go. Or call them at the end of your workouts and tell each other what you did, how it went and how you feel. This can be a great way to bond, too!
Try a New Sport or Join a New Class
Physical fitness does not have to be boring. Running may not interest you, and that’s okay! Diversity is important in your life and our world. There are so many different forms of exercise out there that you will find something you will love.
Check out classes at your local gym or look into a recreation department for the area you live in. Many places have sports teams for adults that don’t require any experience or tryouts. This can also be a great way for you to make friends if you move to a new place!
Incorporate Small Activities into Your Day
If you do not have the resources to go to the gym or join a team, there are still things that you can do to stay active.
Darebee is a free fitness site that provides individual workouts and exercise programs for people of all fitness levels that requires little to no equipment. Within this site, they provide workouts for when you need to be quiet, like when people are sleeping, workouts you can do while you’re at the office or watching your favorite T.V. show.
Another easy way to incorporate physical activity into your life is to go on evening walks with your family. Even going for a 20-minute walk together provides a chance for you to talk about each other’s day while adding some extra steps to your day. It can also teach healthy habits to young children.
Download an App That Encourages and Reminds You to Stay Active
Your phone is always in your hand. So why not use it to your advantage? There are several apps available for free or cheap that will help you achieve your S.M.A.R.T. goal. Some popular apps include MyFitnessPal, Couch to 5K Running App, Nike + Training Club and 30 D
ay Challenge.
There are hundreds apps out there designed around different goals. Some apps will send you a notification reminder when it is time to workout.
Working out doesn’t have to be lonely or miserable. It doesn’t have to take a long time either. It just needs to be effective. Find what you enjoy and keep at it. You’ll make your goals in no time!
MAU Workforce Solutions is an independent, family-owned company with more than 40 successful years providing staffing, recruiting and outsourcing solutions that connect qualified candidates to companies that need them. More than just a staffing company, we are a partner to clients, enhancing their workforce through an in-depth understanding of their organization, culture and industry. MAU is also a mentor for candidates, helping to define and grow their skills, ensuring the right fit for everyone’s future. We are a company that is dedicated to making people’s lives better by providing the resources, training, knowledge, experience and personal attention needed to get the job done.
