Staying active isn’t easy for most. In the U.S., less than 5% of adults get 30 minutes worth of exercise a day. Even during the time before physical restrictions due to a pandemic were implemented, going outdoors to exercise or going to the gym for a workout was difficult.
But living a sedentary lifestyle has several health risks, both physical and mental. In this time, when good health is important, everyone needs to do their best to stay healthy and strong.
Eating healthily won’t cut it, though. Whether you like it or not, you will need to exercise every day. Going to the gym or a recreational center can be an option. Besides, fitness facilities are starting to open again. But if you don’t have the money to pay for a gym membership or you want to stay safe and exercise at home, here are some things you can do to become motivated to workout every day:
Set Your Goal
Before you start anything, you need to set a goal first. Your goal will give you direction in your fitness journey and can be motivating as well. You can use the SMART framework, which refers to specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.
One example is losing five kilos in two months. It’s specific, measurable, and time-bound since a person knows exactly how much they should lose within a given time period. The goal is also achievable since it’s possible to safely lose 4.5 kilos each month. The goal is relevant because it indicates one’s goal to achieve a healthy weight.
Dedicate a Space For Exercise
Having a specific place in your home to exercise can motivate you to keep doing it. Ideally, this space should be easily accessible. You need to remove as much friction from the task as possible so that you won’t be discouraged from doing it.
You can set one corner of your living room as your workout space since it’s easily accessible. Thus, whenever you go to the living room, you’ll always be reminded that you need to exercise. If you want to stay private, you can set up your exercise space in your bedroom.
In setting up your workout space, make sure that it’s wide enough that you can stretch your arms and legs out without obstruction. You also need to make sure that the floor is flat and smooth. Small cracks on the floor can easily result in an accident or a wound. Thus, you can use a floor sealer or use exercise mats.
Take Virtual Exercise Classes
Many gym trainers already upload exercise routines on YouTube. They’re easy to follow, and trainers explain and demonstrate in detail how each movement should be done.
But if you want a sense of community when you exercise, you can take a virtual exercise class. In this case, you will need to register for a class first. Once accepted, you will join a Zoom call where the trainer leads a routine in real-time. You can also see other participants exercising with you on-screen. Taking a real-time online class can be motivating since you are exercising with other people, although you aren’t in the same room.
Be Resourceful with Exercise Equipment
If you choose to exercise alone, you might feel discouraged when you don’t have any equipment. Buying equipment can also be a hindrance, especially since some of them are not very cheap. This can be discouraging to some extent.
Thus, if you really want to stay fit, then you need to be resourceful. You can use things you already have at home as exercise equipment. For example, if you don’t have dumbells, you can use water bottles instead. If you like doing yoga, you can use a thick book instead of buying a yoga block.
Gamify Your Workout Experience
If you like playing games, you can download gamified fitness apps. You can set up personal challenges, like beating your own record, to motivate yourself. Some fitness apps also have a ranking system where users are ranked based on the fitness milestones they achieve. This system can motivate you to keep working out since competition improves attention in doing physical tasks.
If you live a sedentary lifestyle, shifting to an active lifestyle won’t be easy. This is especially true now since most people are forced to stay at home. Even work and schooling are done at home. Still, with dedication and a few tricks to keep you motivated, you’ll be able to become more active and healthier.
