#1 Buy all your food at once. Carefully plan your healthy meals for the next week or so, and shop knowing that you should only buy the items on your list. Cookies, chips, and other munchies are the little extras that add up in the end. Prevent yourself from temptation by banning runs to the grocery store until it’s seriously time to shop again.
#2 Make exercise fun. If you dread your boring gym routine, then you’ll probably lose interest pretty quickly. Instead, do something you’ll enjoy. If you like the relaxed feel of yoga, or the company of a friend on a brisk walk, put these into your daily workout routine. You might also like other non-traditional, high-energy workouts, like kickboxing or dance.
#3 Don’t take breaks. It’s easy to say, I’m busy today, or I just don’t feel up to working out this morning. But try your hardest not to break your workout cycle except for sickness or injury. Telling yourself it’s okay to skip this once, is the quickest way to quitting.
#4 Make your workouts convenient. If the gym is across town, or you just don’t have the time or energy to squeeze a workout into your lunch break, consider what a more convenient workout would do for your motivation. I know I’m much more likely to use weights that I have at home than I am to drive to some park just for a jog, or to a gym for machines. Think close to home. Think minimal prep time.
#5 Monitor your progress (with more than just the scale). Write down the specific exercises you are doing, not only so you don’t miss any during the routine, but so you can keep track of your progress over time. Update your chart every time you increase the number of repetitions or amount of weight, and you’ll be able to see your strength increase as you go. Alternatively, you can track your meals daily, or check off the number of days you successfully complete a workout or stretch program.
To be continued...