How to create a fitness routine- and stick with it

As I shared in my fitness journey, there was a period of time that I did not exercise regularly and struggled with creating a consistent fitness routine. My issue was not motivation, but a lack of knowledge of where to begin.

Fortunately, I discovered a fitness program that took care of some the guesswork. However, the success of maintaining this routine was entirely on my shoulders.

Within a year, I was exercising five to six days a week in my bedroom after work.

People often praise my commitment to fitness and ask how I stay motivated. However, motivation does not always get me to the gym, but the discipline I established does.

Just like everyone else, there are days that I do not want to workout. But most of those days, I remind myself of my commitment to my goals and how I will feel when I am done.

Below are some of the actions I personally used to develop a fitness routine and helped me stay on track when I first started exercising again.

Steps to creating a fitness routine

1. Why do you want to workout consistently?

Establishing your “why” will help you stay motivated and remind you of why you wanted to make this change in the first place. When creating your “why,” consider your values (what is important to you) and the benefits of making a change.

2. Determine your fitness level, goals and the amount of time you have to dedicate to exercise.

These factors will influence your regimen. When making your goals, consider making SMART goals instead of vague ones like “I will exercise more.” An example well-constructed goal is “I will exercise 3 times a week for the next three months.”

If you are at risk or exhibit signs or symptoms of cardiovascular, metabolic or renal disease, you may need to receive medical clearance from your healthcare provider.

3. Select/create a program based on the style of training that will help you reach your goals and choose one that you LIKE.

For example, I like weightlifting and pilates. You will not see me running or doing Zumba (I clearly do not like cardio). Doing an exercise you enjoy can help you be more motivated to exercise. You might have to to try different programs until you find one that you like.

When I first started working out, I preferred home workouts since I had long commutes and little money. I started going to the gym after modifying my goals and was able to afford a gym membership.

After selecting the form of exercise you like, consider revising your goal.

4. Schedule your workouts like an event.

Some programs have weekly or monthly calendars. I prefer to workout right after work. I bring my gym clothes with me and change when I get to the gym. Consider using a fitness journal to organize your routine.

5. Have an exercise plan, whether it is pre-made or self created, for each workout session.

If you are not using a pre-made plan, create your workouts in advance (even if its during the car ride to the gym/home), NOT when you start the workout. This will also keep you organized and save time.

6. Be patient and stick with your plan.

It will take some time to see progress. As time goes on, you may have to adjust your routine or your goals.

Occasionally, there will be times that you have to miss a workout due to work or illness.If you fall off track, revisit your “why,” pick up where you left off and continue working toward your goals.

Final thoughts

After starting your new routine, make sure you are warming up and cooling down before and after each session. In addition to what I have provided, check out this article for more tips.

Not sure if you have the time for fitness? Trust me, you do. Check out this post for tips on fitting exercise into a busy schedule.

Are you creating a new fitness routine? If you already have one, how did you create your fitness routine?