Summer is in high gear and two things we can count on are warm days and cool mornings. Are you taking advantage of all the outdoor activities you planned to this summer? Biking, hiking, swimming, skating – the list goes on and on. And here’s the best part: it’s all exercise!
Call it what you want, but if you’re moving with purpose, you can call it exercise. So let’s call it “purposeful movement” and look at ten strategies for exercise success:
- Have a “valued purpose.” Choose a particular motivator and make it your reason to exercise.
- Increase exercise cues. Schedule exercise on your calendar. Keep your exercise bag/walking shoes handy. Keep exercise equipment in your house.
- Find “like-minded” people. Take exercise classes. Use friends/social support.
- Sign up for Events. Look for run/walk events.
- Schedule your day around exercise/activity. Don’t “try to fit in” exercise – make it a priority.
- Take active vacations. Look for opportunities to involve some kind of activity in your vacation plans.
- Choose activities you enjoy. If you don’t like traditional exercise classes or the gym, find something you do like. Maybe it’s dancing or tai chi.
- Keep an exercise log. There’s no better way to track your personal progress and set goals.
- Notice stumbling blocks and learn from them. Make a conscious effort to figure out what trips you up. Change what’s needed to keep you focused and successful.
- Exercise integrity in the Moment of Choice. Increase the importance of exercise in your life. Choose to exercise. Do it – whether you are focused on exercise or not.
Is there a secret why some are successful with exercise and others not? Quite simply, those clients who have it figured out all say the same thing: They found something they love to do and they call it “purposeful movement.” Sounds like a win-win!