Have you ever promised yourself that you’d start working out from Monday? Ever made that same promise more than once? More than 10 times? Don’t worry, you and many others are in the same boat.

If you’re new to working out, it can be hard to commit in the long run. You go in with the best intentions but quickly fail by trying to achieve too much, too quickly. Want to successfully integrate exercise into your everyday life? Try some of our simple tips on how to stay committed:

1. Take baby steps towards a healthier future

You can’t achieve your fitness goals overnight. Instead of setting unrealistic goals that are impossible to maintain, focus on the small wins that, when added together lead to big results.

For example, if you want to start walking for exercise, you might try taking the stairs instead of the lift for the first week. The second week, you might go for a 10-minute walk on your lunch break. You may then extend that walk to 20 minutes the third week, and so on…

You’ll find this much easier to maintain than if you force yourself to do 10,000 steps a day without any practice. By setting short term goals, you’re more likely to achieve your long term goals.

2. Don’t let the weather get you down

You wake up to the tedious sound of your alarm. It’s raining, the sky’s pitch black and your bed feels much comfier than when you were trying to sleep the previous night. Lying in despair, you wonder whether you really need a job, let alone a workout.

We have ALL been there. There’s nothing more off-putting than cold, wet weather. Unfortunately, bad weather is pretty much a given here in the UK.

When the weather gets you down, it’s important to remind yourself of your goals and why you set out to achieve them. Ironically, workouts under wet circumstances make the day seem a lot less gloomy!

3. Treat yourself, you deserve it

I’m sure we can all agree there’s no better feeling than wearing new clothes. It’s actually a known motivator and it’s easy to understand why.

Not only will new workout gear make you feel confident, but it will also encourage you to work out harder. The harder you work out, the better you’ll feel afterwards and the more frequently you’ll want to exercise. That aside, it’s just nice to treat yourself sometimes, especially when you deserve it!

4. Be consistent in your workout times

It’s always easier to work out when you plan ahead. Having a specific workout time will mean you’re more prepared and willing to give it your all.

Leaving exercise until the last minute indicates that it’s the least important thing on your list. Something more important will crop up and give you an excuse to miss it entirely. If you want to engrain exercise into your everyday schedule, you have to be consistent with your workout times.

5. Consider the company you keep

The more time you spend with someone, the more you become like them. If you’re truly serious about smashing your fitness goals and creating positive lifelong habits, you need to surround yourself with people who are active and supportive themselves.

We have a strong sense of community here at i-motion Rotherham. We’re proud to have members who encourage and motivate one another in any way they can. Likewise, we want our members to achieve their goals and enjoy cheering them on along the way. This is just one of the reasons our gym is so great!