Life ebbs and flows, especially in the summer.
You might take a break for a month and sometimes getting back into a routine with some exercise seems like something to put off.
But doing something doesn’t mean doing everything.
Some things to ask yourself. What seems manageable? How many times per week seems doable? What do I enjoy?
Look, a perfect exercise routine doesn’t exist, but if it did, it would never be as good as the exercise routine you actually do.
Here are a few ways to build a routine or habit according to James Clear in his book called “Atomic Habits”.
1. It helps to link the habit you want with a habit you already have.
An example is I want to learn more Spanish so I have paired listening to Spanish stories with walking my dog.
Maybe your goal is to walk more so you pair it with something you are already doing – eating- and you do your walk after dinner every evening.
2. Another thing that helps is making your environment more friendly to the habit.
I have a student who came to me for a private session and asked for a routine she could do. She is living part time in the country with her mother and there is no real internet and literally NO space to move in what is a tiny house. She could feel herself getting smaller and weaker from lack of movement. We talked a lot about how and where she could exercise and then about how she could get her stamina back. Make a designated space if you can. Rethink all that furniture!
3. My final tip is scheduling. Don’t just think ‘I will get to it at some point’.
My workout times are scheduled and I don’t like to miss them. I know exercise helps me not only feel good physically but it is one of the things that helps me manage my mental health. And it helps me sleep!
If you want to start schedule a movement habit try a once a week zoom class with me! Choose one day or all three days. Get more info here.