How To Stop Skipping Workouts for Good, Trainer Reveals
No matter how much you want to stay fit and build a great body, life can get in the way—you get busy, feel tired, or lose motivation, and you start skipping workouts. So how do you overcome those common barriers to make sure you get enough exercise? Easy peasy! Follow a few simple strategies so you can stay healthy and build strong habits that last a lifetime. Read on to learn more about how to stop skipping workouts with these powerful tips. And next, don't miss The 6 Best Exercises for Strong and Toned Arms in 2022, Trainer Says.
Start small
People often struggle to be consistent because they "bite off more than they can chew." They try to do too much at once and set themselves up for failure. Instead, and in order to stop skipping workouts, break down your goals into smaller steps that gradually increase. Commit to fewer workouts per week, but make sure you follow through with them. Then, as you build the habit, you can do more.
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Put it in your calendar
Rather than trying to fit your workouts into a busy schedule, schedule your exercise first, and put everything around it. That way, you won't have to worry about running out of time and you prioritize exercise in your life.
Find an accountability partner
It's normal for motivation to ebb and flow, so in the moments you don't feel like exercising, it's powerful to have a friend who pushes you and holds you accountable. If you even think about skipping your training, you'll have to answer to them. They'll also help make your exercise more fun, which further strengthens your adherence.
Related: This One Easy Trick Helps You Walk 40 More Minutes Each Day, Research Says
Find something you like
Sometimes, the trick to stop skipping your exercise is to find something you really love. Maybe you prefer swimming, playing team sports, or doing group glasses over doing a solo workout in the gym—and that's totally fine! There are countless forms of exercise. Find what you enjoy, and you'll be far more consistent over time.
Accept the struggle
To achieve anything in life, you will face ups and downs. Sometimes, it helps to simply accept those issues will happen. If you miss a workout, don't beat yourself up or think you "failed"—learn from it. It happens to everyone. Then, if you succeed, reward yourself! (After all, it ain't easy.)
Related: 5 Tiny Habits of Incredibly Healthy People, Expert Says
Prepare in advance
As the saying goes, "If you fail to prepare, you're preparing to fail." To stay consistent, get everything ready ahead of time. Prepare your clothes, nutrition, and more before you train. That way, when it's time to exercise, you don't have to fumble around—you can simply grab it and go.
Focus on behaviors, not results
Create goals around specific behaviors, not just results. For example, instead of aiming to "lose 10 pounds," aim to "exercise for 30 minutes, three times a week." That way, you're targeting specific actions that are 100% in your control. If you're skipping workouts, only focus on hitting your target number of sessions, and the rest will follow.
