How do I make exercising a regular thing?

[Anonymous]

For me, I get into these periods where I'm on an exercising kick and I'll want to do it everyday and that lasts for about a week but If I miss a day I feel like I've messed up my whole routine and I lose the motivation to get back into it. So really it's a situation where sometimes I exercise and sometimes I don't, I can never find a happy medium because I get discouraged so easily. How can I make this a regular thing to where I do it everyday or on a set of specific days? I really want this to be part of my lifestyle and not just feel like it's something I have to do, I think that's why I give up so quickly.

[rjroy3]

Give yourself a simple staple exercise routine.
Pick 2 - 4 simple exercises that you can do every single day, just to build the habit. So you never go a day without at least doing that bare minimum. When I first started, I did a single set of pushups, a single set of crunches and a single set of lying leg raises. It's simple, you get a good blood pump and muscle contraction first thing in the morning and it's not very taxing on the body. So it can be done daily. You could simply go for a walk every morning for 45 - 60min. You could do a set of squats, crunches and pushups. You can pick anything really. Just keep it simple enough to where you can do it daily. It's easiest to make it so you do it first thing in the morning, but if you wake up late and don't have time. Don't get down on yourself. Just find a moment in the day to do your routine. The whole point is to develop the habit. Life is going to get in the way sometimes, so making time for the routine is part of that habit building. Feel proud of yourself everytime you do it and remember you're building something that you want.

[Dtegesd123]

maybe not do it everyday. Do mondays, Wednesday, fridays, that way its not so taxing on your body and you will have free time to do other interests and rest.

But if you miss a day, you could just double the time of the next workout. Almost the same thing.

[Tephra]

Think its just all about forcing yourself to go to the gym regardless whether or not you want to. That's how I pretty much started out and used every excuse to get me out of the gym like "Its too hot" or "It too wet".
Also don't beat yourself up so much about missing a day - that's where you lose all the motivation to go to the gym. Just think to yourself about the reason why you want to work out, to get into shape by the end of winter? To be healthy? To be a better person?
And try to make working out fun - bring a friend - challenge yourself! Every week try beating how much you can lift or trying beating how long you can run for. It's all about progress and when you look back on how far you've come you'll be a gym addict like everyone else! lol! :)

[Asker]

Thanks :)

[Notforlong]

Make it a habit to have the exercise outfit ready every night, before going to sleep.

Aside from that, the only way I exercise is through sports.

I like going out and really wanted to start exercising everyday.

So my solution was to pick up my favorite sports and play for at least twice a week for an hour or two.

[Nomad69]

Find a trainer or a gym buddy to encourage you to go. Force yourself to go even when you don't want to. Don't rush into 5 days a week go like 2 or 3 times a week and work your way up and don't do the same mundane workout every time , mix it up.

[QuestionMan]

I'm thinking of getting a personal trainer figured if I'm paying for it I'll be more likely to go.

[apple24]

You just make it a habit. Do it everyday. Shine or rain! Just do it. Sat or Sunday... just do it. And soon it will be like going to the bathroom... lol

[TripleAce]

No secret trick

1. Stand
2. Walk
3. Work out
4. Come home

Done

[Phoenix98]

Will power, routine and keeping up motivation and going even if you don't want to.

[HGStebbins]

ETS. Embrace the suck. You need to keep it up for 21 days straight. Then it's habit.

[IBMtrait]

Do you enjoy working out? I do and I feel that's a major reason why I go to the gym often.

[Asker]

I enjoy it when I'm in the mood and feel motivated enough to do it. Otherwise I think of it as a chore.

[Asker]

That's my problem, I don't want to think of it that way. I always want to feel motivated.

[IBMtrait]

I've been there before.

I guess for me, I've been going so often that it's like a habit now. Do you go to the gym or do you workout at home?

[Asker]

I have a few exercise machines at home, including a treadmill. I have weights, DVD's, a bike, trampoline, jump rope. I have the resources it's just a major lack of initiative to make it a habit.

[IBMtrait]

Oh okay. Me, personally, i dont really enjoy working out at home. I much prefer going to a gym where there are other people around. In a way, it's sort of a motivational thing also; with others around.

[Asker]

Yeah I think going to a gym would be good for me too because I really do get bored at home (which is also part of why I don't do it more in the first place).

[IBMtrait]

It's boring for sure. You should try hitting up the gym, you'll probably like it.

[lilce1992]

Train different muscle groups throughout the week and rest on the weekends. It helps so you don't get burnt out as well.

[caldesertdude760]

Join the Military. You will workout every day