How to Stick With Your Workout Routine

You’re going for a workout—this means you’re going to sweat, it’s going to be tough, and you’re going to get sore. But that’s why it’s called a workout. Your dedication to your workout routine says a lot about yourself. It shows how well you stick to your goals. This doesn’t mean that you have to spend hours at the gym every single day; that can get very demotivating. So how does an individual stick to their workout plan? It always starts by missing one workout, then a few days, and eventually onto weeks. But don’t worry; you’re not going to give up this time… Music! Music really helps you get into the mood and sets the beat. My favourite pre-workout ritual is popping up my hood and getting into the zone with some good tunes. It’s a great way to get motivated instantly. Music temp actually does affect exercise intensity. Listening to some fast paced drum and base will give you a more intense workout than Elton John. But whatever floats your boat! Music also helps relieve stress and take your mind off your everyday worries like work. You’ll find that music helps you work out longer—you lose track of time. Find a partner Personally, I prefer working out alone. But that’s what works for me. I’ve found a lot of people enjoy going to the gym with a buddy. Having a workout partner can be very beneficial—they can help you squeeze out that last rep. They also keep you devoted. You’ll think twice the next time you decide to skip the gym—don’t let your partner down! If there’s no one in your social circle that’s up for it, then hire a personal trainer. If you’re short on cash, then don’t worry, your options are endless. Simply make a few friends at the gym—they’ll be glad to have a new person to workout with. Just make sure you don’t ask them mid-set. Daily goals It’s good to have long-term goals of losing weight or gaining muscle. You’ll find, though, that this ends up taking importance off your daily workouts. This will lead to missing workouts because “it will do no harm in the long-run”. It’s true, it probably won’t but that’s one workout. And one workout always turns into two, which turns into a week, etc. By setting goals each day, you’ll want to go the gym and improve yourself. This can be something as simple of adding 2.5 lbs to the bar, or improving your 10-rep max on squats. Just make sure the goal is positive and you can achieve it. The routine itself A poorly planned-out workout routine is a ticking time bomb of failure. Something that doesn’t fit into your schedule and asks too much will have you quitting quicker than ever. A routine that has you in the gym for 3 hours each day is going to overtrain you and you’ll give up. Similarly, a routine that has you in the gym at 4 a.m. in the morning won’t last, either. Remember to keep these points in mind next time you go for a workout. Tackling each day as a part of a marathon will get you to your goal eventually!