It seems like there are two types of gym-goers out there — one that’s all in 100% of the time, and the other always has one foot out the door. If you relate more to the second one, you probably have someone in mind as the first type and wonder how they do it. Were they born with it? Do they genuinely enjoy the lifestyle? Maybe they can’t live without it? At the end of the day, there’s probably only one thing stopping you from being the first type, and that’s you.
Maintaining consistency is one of the biggest hurdles we all seem to face when it comes to fitness. Many of us point the finger to our fluctuating schedules or our all-or-nothing mentality, but there are a few things you can do to fix this today.
1) Think small, before you think big! It’s all about the small wins. Don’t expect to get the arms of your dreams after one workout or lose 10 pounds in a week, or you’ll just be facing disappointment.
Set goals and make sure they’re smart ones (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound). Don’t expect to have a six-pack right away. Instead, make it a goal to do 60 reps of crunches every night before bed, then increase it to 90 the following week, and so on. Make small changes here and here, and they’ll amount to something much bigger someday. Soon enough you’ll find yourself celebrating the small victories, all while bringing you one step closer to your long term goals.
2) Make plans. Many of us have a different schedule every week, so just plan around it. You don’t have to work out at the same time every day, and you don’t have to do it for the same duration every time.
Make plans that work for you that week and each day. On busier weeks, you may only have time for two workouts instead of four. On busier days, you may only have time for 20 minutes, not 40. But that’s ok! You may find it easier to get two long workouts in one week, or it may suit you better to exercise in short bursts, even if it’s just ten minutes. It’s all about figuring out what works for you. Just remember that it’s not all or nothing.
The key is planning ahead, and Silofit is perfect for that! With us, you can plan your workouts ahead of time by booking our on-demand gyms when it’s in line with your schedule. If something comes up, no sweat, you can cancel up to 2 hours before your booking at no charge.
3) Find ways to feel empowered when you work out. Whether that’s finding an environment that makes you feel good or an outfit that boosts your confidence, it’ll make your workout something you look forward to.
We’ve heard from countless of our gym-goers that our Silos are so motivating, because of how you feel when you walk through the door. We have 100% privacy in our gyms so that you can train without any inhibitions. Blast your favourite song, check yourself out when you squat, and be proud of the sweat dripping down your face. Recognize your strength and let it push you further!
4) Redefine what “exercise” means. When someone says it’s time to work out, it seems many of our natural reactions are “ugh,” but not if you find something you love. Don’t like bootcamp? Don’t do it! By finding something that gets your heart rate up that you genuinely enjoy, it’ll become an activity and not “exercise.”
Try new things and find different, fun ways to move your body. There’s so much out there, so you just have to test the waters. Get fresh air on a jog, take a hike and enjoy the view, dance around your living room to 2000’s hip hop, go skiing over the weekend, do laps in the pool. Who knows, your next hobby could end up being a healthy habit!
5) Make your workout a break in your day. The American Institute of Stress states that 33% of people feel extreme stress, 77% experience stress that affects their physical health, and 73% have stress that impacts their mental health. A common excuse people have is that they’re too busy or stressed to work out, but it should really be the other way around. It’s been proven that any form of exercise can help relieve stress and boost your endorphins, distracting you from daily worries.
In fact, studies show that exercise increases productivity raises your energy level, reduces fatigue, and improves overall well-being. So, if you’re stressed, exercising should be your remedy, not your cop-out. Setting time aside for a workout will allow you to reconsider what’s causing your stress and give you momentum when you get back to work, making it the most rewarding and efficient break you could take. You can even plan your sweat break ahead of time by booking a Silo in advance! You’ll begin to look forward to the workout more than you think.
6) Find an accountability partner. Whether it’s someone who’s also trying to get back on track or someone who manages to stay there, it can be beneficial having someone keep you in check.
Set reminders to check in on each other, and make sure they did that pilates workout they said they’d do Tuesday morning. You can also stay motivated by working out together. Our Silos allow you to bring a friend at no extra cost, so you can always have someone to exercise with and sweat together. Remember, sharing is caring!
7) Don’t deprive yourself, it’s not scalable or realistic! When you have a craving, let yourself indulge, but in moderation (think of the 80–20 rule). Life was meant to live after all.
The best way to maintain this lifestyle is by forming healthy habits you can keep, rather than cutting out your favourite foods and trying crazy diets that never stick. It’s also a good way to avoid extreme behaviour, like binging. It’s important to eat nutritiously for the most part, but don’t be so hard on yourself if you slip up.
In short, you should make plans that’ll help you attain realistic goals, discover forms of exercise you enjoy, build confidence, maintain accountability, but remember that it’s all about balance.
The reality is, you only get one body in life. It’s time to reconsider how you’re treating it.
