Do you find yourself in the cycle of starting an exercise routine full steam ahead, then feeling burnt out and giving up? You go weeks, months, or years without regular exercise until you inevitably find yourself saying “okay, I need to get back on track!”
I can’t tell you how many clients seek out my help to solve this problem. Time is arguably our most precious non-renewable resource. The more time we waste starting, stopping, and restarting an exercise routine, the longer it takes us to reach our goals.
So, let me ask you another question—Do you find yourself in the cycle of starting a regular tooth brushing routine full steam ahead, then, feeling burnt out and giving up? You go weeks, months, or years without brushing your teeth until you finally find yourself saying “okay, I need to get back on track!”
……. That just sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it? I know comparing tooth brushing to exercise seems flippant, but what if I told you I could help you make your exercise routine feel as natural as brushing your teeth? Or taking a shower? After reading this blog post, I promise that you will see how this is possible!
Here are three of the biggest mistakes I see when it comes to establishing an exercise program Long-term.
Mistake Number One: You are committing to more than you can handle.
It is so easy to fall into the trap of going from zero to one hundred when starting an exercise routine. So many of us, including myself, have an “all or nothing” mindset. You go full steam ahead with 5+ days of exercise for 45-60 minutes, and anything less is considered failure. But my question to you is… does that sound like something you can achieve right now? Does the thought of scheduling that into your life seem realistic, or overwhelming?
If it does, you are not alone. I often encourage someone getting into an exercise program to start off by performing 2 days weekly of 20-30 minute strength workouts, with frequent walking (as their schedule allows). Commit to what you know you can consistently achieve. This will set you up for success. Once you’ve established a schedule you can regularly stick to, then it’s time to build. Overcommitting to a rigorous exercise routine often causes feelings of overwhelm, stress, and disappointment. Start slow and allow yourself to grow.
Mistake Number Two: You are performing an exercise program that you hate.
I can’t tell you how many clients come to me and say “I hate running, but I do it because it’s a good workout!” Let me say this louder for the people in the back… a successful exercise program is not a one size fits all approach! What works for me might not work for you, and vice versa.
Back when I was in high school, I did a video workout program with my friend that consisted of intense bodyweight exercises. The program was EXTREMELY difficult. My friend loved it and saw great results, but I hated every minute of it. I just kept telling myself that it felt “soooo good” when it was done. But…. I realized that I only felt “so good” because I was totally exhausted and simply happy it was over! I look back on all the fitness classes or workouts I’ve tried over the years and there are many that I did not enjoy doing.
So, why did I suffer through them? There was no need! Exercise is exercise, so pick something you like. If you hate running, try walking, riding a bike, swimming, dancing…. Keep trying things out until you find something that excites you! Stop trying to force yourself to do what works for your friend, or what you see on social media. Your journey needs to be just that, your journey.
3. Mistake Number Three: You are expecting yourself to be perfect, both with exercise and healthy eating habits.
Release yourself from the stress perfection and stop comparing yourself to the past or future you. Was this week totally crazy and you had to miss your exercise sessions? Oh well! Move forward and continue doing the things that will push you closer to your goals.
Seriously, if establishing a lifelong exercise routine is a goal, then you need to ditch the “all or nothing” mindset. Give yourself grace and focus on the countless reasons why regular exercise is beneficial to your health. C’mon sister, you have a lot on your plate, give yourself a break! Don’t let one day, one week, or one month throw you “off track.” Take things one step at a time and remember… don’t give up.
I promise you that getting into a regular exercise routine does not have to feel like an insurmountable task. If you are interested in starting your own exercise routine, please check out my free beginner strength workout!
