We’ve got suggestions of 3 simple ways that you can try and make exercise a habit.

If you’re needing to do some exercises, but keep forgetting to do them or find that you’re not consistent, then watch the video or read below to find how to make them a habit.

Do you know why you’re doing the exercises?

Before diving into our tips on making exercise a habit, make sure you know why you’re doing the exercises in the first place. If you don’t know why then it’ll be harder to find the motivation to do them.

We written posts on flexibility and why it’s important and the importance of the range of movement in the body which explain some of the reasons behind doing the exercises. There are also exercises that target endurance or strength. Make sure you know why you’re doing the exercises(s).

Tip 1: Accountability

Depending on your own situation, will depend on who you choose to make you accountable. This could be:

• friends or family
• an app (there are a lot of apps out there that help you track habits) or
• your physio appointments. We can check your range of movement and check where you are with your exercises. You can have a good couple of weeks to do the exercises and when you come back, we can re-check everything and see where you’re at and the progress you’re making.

Tip 2: Link with a daily habit

For example, brushing your teeth:

• Some exercises you may be able to do while you’re brushing your teeth, such as balancing on one leg or calf stretches
• Other exercises you may need to do before or after, such as shoulder stretches

Or Put the Exercise into a Sequence

• For example, if the exercise is a back-stretch, then make sure you do the back-stretch before you go to put your shoes on
• Or, if one of your exercises involves a stretchy theraband, (depending on what your exercise is) loop it around a table, and then every time you pass the table you can do 5-10 repetitions of the exercise.

If you’re able to link an exercise with a daily activity, it actually becomes easier to do, because you don’t think about it as much. When a task requires less active thought, it goes more into your routine and it’s easier to keep up with the consistency of exercise.

Tip 3: Prioritise

Prioritising exercises is another good way to create a habit and stay focused. Our suggestion is to choose at least one to a maximum of three exercises. Once you know the important exercises and that they’ll fit into your time during the day and they won’t take up a massive amount of time – you’re more likely to do the exercise.

Depending on your own situation, if there are a number of things you’d like to be working on. You can prioritise to be working on 1-3 exercises on one day and a different 1-3 exercises on another day. Then you can alternate between the two types of exercises as you know you’re doing the exercise at least 2-3 times a week.

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Questions? 

Try any or all of these 3 simple suggestions to make exercise a habit. If you’ve got any questions on the above, then please let us know (click for contact details).

Remember – Listen to your Body!

Please remember to listen to your body. Get any aches and pains checked out sooner rather than later.

Disclaimer:

As with all information given for exercises and exercise programs, when using our exercise videos or information, please use your common sense and don’t do anything that will hurt you. By performing any fitness exercises, you are performing them at your own risk. PhysioFit Health will not be responsible or liable for any injury or harm you sustain as a result of information shared on our website or YouTube channel. This includes emails, videos and text. Thanks for your understanding.