Find it difficult to stick to an exercise routine? Give these hacks a chance!

Thinking about going to the gym and actually committing to a routine are two different things. Most well-intentioned 6 AM blaring alarms to go to the gym end with snooze and a more comfortable position in bed. Sounds familiar? Welcome to the fam who wants to, but is not able to, stick to an exercise routine. 

The older you get, the tougher it gets to form new habits and commit to a routine. Thankfully there are hacks to lead the way. If you’ve added getting fit to your 2020 resolution–don’t worry, there’s still time for you to get on track. Just follow these simple everyday hacks to start with. 

1. Pick something you enjoy
   This sounds super obvious, but we often end up picking a routine that is either the current trend or what our friends are doing. While going to the gym sounds like the easiest plan of action–you may not really enjoy running on the treadmill for 20 minutes in place that smells like old socks. Take a look at the activities on offer around your area and pick something that sounds fun, exciting and interesting enough to get out of bed at 6 AM for.

2. Pick a time and stick to it
   More often than not we end up squeezing exercise time in our routine rather than making it a priority. Pick a time that suits you and don’t reschedule no matter what. Treat gym time like a work deadline: if you don’t go you don’t get paid. In this case is you don’t go, you don’t get cheat days.

3. Find an exercise partner
   While it’s important to self-motivate, you can also cheat and find a partner who does that for you. Either convince your friend or partner to go along with you or find a partner at the gym who is dedicated and willing to push you. A friend of mine had gotten his personal instructor to call him every morning and ask him if he was coming. Trust me, there’s only so many times you can say no before the guilt pushes you to go and commit to that routine.

4. Pick a convenient location
   You are more likely to cancel if the location or the time is inconvenient. So pick an activity near your house or workplace, at a time that you usually don’t have anything important scheduled. This way you will have zero excuses to cancel and you’ll feel the pressure to go.

5. Pay for the year and tell everyone
   Hello peer pressure–a tested way to get things done since decades. First of after you’ve decided on an activity that is interesting and fun, pay the entire year’s fee. You’ll feel more guilty while sleeping in if you’ve already paid. Also, tell everyone that you are starting a new exercise routine. If nothing else just the fact that nearly everyone you meet will ask you about it will motivate you to get out of bed every morning.

Also read: Download these 5 apps on your phone to stay on track with your fitness routine

Use these hacks to change things. It’s never too late to start getting fit. Go on, pick an activity, post about it on social media, and watch how everyone asking you about it pushes you to get up and work out.