Good habits don’t happen overnight. One of my biggest challenges on my wellness journey has been staying consistent with exercise. When I first started working out, getting started and keeping a regular routine felt really hard.
One thing that never stays the same in my life is my schedule. Balancing motherhood, running a small business, renovating a house, and the everyday grind can wreck even the best workout plans. Learning how to stay consistent when life keeps changing was the key to making exercise a daily habit.
Exercise is one of the most powerful things you can do for your physical, mental, and emotional health, but many of us still struggle to stick with it. Changing habits and mindset is tough at first, but there are plenty of ways to make consistency easier. When I keep up with exercise, I feel calmer, less stressed, and enjoy the physical benefits too.
Removing the barriers—time, money, motivation, accountability, convenience—helps you stick to your fitness goals. Below are strategies that helped me keep going, even when life threw me curveballs.
How to stay consistent and motivated with exercise:
Make it a priority:
– Block time in your calendar for workouts. Pick days and times that make it easier to follow through.
Be ready to pivot:
– Flexibility is essential. Life happens, so have a backup plan when you can’t make it to the gym. Online programs are great for at-home options—yoga, kickboxing, HIIT, cycling, rowing, running, and more are all available.
– I like being able to pick a workout based on my mood and energy and stream it whenever it fits my day.
– Programs I’ve liked: The Class, Echelon, Active & Fit Now, Peloton.
Make workouts part of your daily routine:
– Pair exercise with things you already do, like working out after dropping the kids at school or taking a walk at lunch.
Start small and build up:
– Begin with 5 or 10 minutes. It’s much easier to commit to a short session, and once you start, you often keep going.
Remember it’s not just about weight loss:
– Focus on strength, stamina, balance, stress relief, heart health, and confidence.
Feeling stuck?
– Consider a certified health coach. They can help with stress management, fitness, nutrition, and other life challenges.
Lay out your gear the night before:
– Seeing your workout clothes and shoes makes it easier to follow through and harder to skip.
Make it social:
– Workout with a friend or partner for accountability. Try a new class together to keep each other motivated.
Drop the “all-or-nothing” mindset:
– Something is always better than nothing. On low-energy days, I promise myself just 10 minutes—and that’s often enough to keep me going.
Try something new:
– Switching workouts keeps things interesting. With so many classes available in person and online, options are endless.
Rest:
– Rest days matter. They help your body recover—enjoy them, you earned it!