If you are anything like me, then if it isn’t in your calendar, it really doesn’t exist! Not to mention, in the midst of our busy lives, workouts are often the first thing that fall to the bottom of everyone’s growing ‘to-do’ list. Whether it’s because you sleep in, work late, have to pick up the kids or need to rush to a long awaited dinner with friends, getting physically active can get placed on the backburner.
So how do you increase the likelihood that your workout doesn’t fall off the list?
Answer: Schedule your workout as an appointment!
If you think those team meetings in the office are important enough to make it into your calendar, your workout should make it there as well – with reminders too! Adding a workout into your schedule a week or more in advance can help you avoid the regular stumbles of making physical activity a habit by providing a few helpful benefits to keep you on track including flexibility, consistency, and frequency.
Flexibility
Whether you plan to workout in the morning, during lunch or immediately after you leave the office, scheduling will help you find the time that best fits your schedule throughout the busy week – and yes… you can always find somewhere to schedule in exercise. Maybe sneaking out for a brisk walk or to a nearby gym works best during lunchtime on Monday and Friday, while an early morning workout fits better on Wednesdays. As well, scheduling your workout plan a week or more in advance allows you to easily identify which days your regular routine doesn’t work, enabling you to customize your workout schedule in advance instead of realizing at the end of a long day that a lunchtime workout would have made the most sense.
Consistency
Let’s face it – you will miss a workout every once in a while and that is ok. Taking a few minutes on Sunday to plan your weekly activity will help you avoid turning one missed workout into two days, three days or a full week of inactivity. If you do miss a workout you can a) find another time to fit that workout into the remainder of the week, or b) adjust your workout appointments in your calendar to avoid this the next time around. Plus, seeing those daily appointments and receiving those meeting reminders (thanks Outlook!) will keep your physical activity top of mind!
Frequency
The frequency of your workouts is important in getting and staying healthy but keeping your calendar up to date with your workout schedule can help you plan and execute a realistic workout frequency. Most people, myself included, have had those New Year’s resolutions where you plan to hit the gym for 1 hour, 5 or 6 days a week, and while you may kick the year off with an impressive week or two, it’s not likely sustainable – for your body or your calendar! Scheduling your workouts in your calendar will allow you to plan a frequency that works best for your fitness goals and best for your busy schedule.
The fact is, no matter how well-intentioned your plans are to get active, scheduling them into your calendar as non-negotiable appointments will help you plan, execute and maintain your physical activity goals long-term so get scheduling and get moving!
Looking to get started today? Visit the ParticipACTION OPEN HOUSE at GoodLife Fitness from November 22nd – 30th to get things off with a FREE 7 Day Pass!
The post Why your workouts should be NON-NEGOTIABLE appointments appeared first on Pep Talk.
