Home & Lifestyle

3 TIPS TO STAY MOTIVATED AND EXERCISE FROM HOME

Are you struggling to find the motivation to exercise from home, particularly as we are heading into the cooler months when all you want to do is climb back into bed?

We’ve put together three ways to help you look at exercise differently and achieve a healthier lifestyle without expensive machines.

1. CHANGE YOUR MINDSET

Exercising doesn’t have to be boring or viewed as a ‘chore’. Neither does lifting heavy weights repetitively or hanging out with a bunch of sweaty people in a room have to be your idea of ‘fun’ exercise.

We like to think of it as a good habit to look after your body, to help you feel healthier and more active. After all, you only have one body, right?

The most important part is getting started – it can be as simple as upping your steps to reach 10,000 on a daily basis, dancing to your favourite playlist, or kicking a ball around with the kids at a nearby park.

Some people will find a form of exercising which they enjoy and look forward to doing, others won’t. That’s okay, it’s not for everyone - don’t let that discourage you. If you’re still struggling to find the motivation, think of it this way, does anyone enjoy brushing their teeth? We don’t think so. But we do it anyway because it’s good for you.

2. MAKE IT YOURS

According to research, 30 minutes of exercise is the ideal level of daily activity. How can we fill those 30 minutes? YouTube is your best friend. There are videos for everyone, at any stage of your fitness journey.
We’ve included some of our favourites below:

Are you a beginner and not sure where to start? Try this video
Do you prefer to dance to break a sweat? Check out this account
Is Pilates more your style? There’s a video suitable for everyone
Looking for a cool, down-to-earth Yoga trainer? Check her out here
Want something a little higher in intensity? This video even includes a Warm-Up
Looking for a series to take you through your fitness journey? Try this one

3. KEEP IT CONSISTENT

Good habits require some sacrifice and are formed daily. It requires self-discipline, commitment and determination to keep yourself in check. We’ve found the following tips have helped us stay consistent:

Focus on the benefits. Research has shown that people who exercise are healthier, sleep better, think more clearly, and have more energy. Feeling stressed? We’ve always felt amazing after a workout ;)
Exercising on a Monday. This helps to establish a psychological pattern to kickstart the week
Getting it done first thing in the morning and crossing it off the to-do list. This way, we’ve also felt energised for the rest of the day
Avoid skipping exercise two days in a row, no matter how inconvenient it is. This helps us ensure exercise is an ongoing habit.
Prioritising fitness and dedicating time for yourself. No one else, besides you, is responsible for your health. If you don’t put yourself first, who will?