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Assign a Time and Just Do ItStep Three: Assign a Time To make exercise a habit, it needs to be on the agenda in a specific time slot, not on that “to do” list that you turn to "when I have a minute.” Anytime is fine as long as you will do it. Nevertheless, when it comes to making exercise a daily habit, science is on the side of the early birds. People who work out in the mornings are much more likely to stick to their programs than people who leave it until later. You never know when a spur-of-the-moment meeting or family obligation can wreck a whole day's schedule. No matter what time of day you put on your sneakers for exercise, keep it consistent. Step Four: Do It Now that you know where you're going to put exercise into your day, figure out what kind of workout you will be doing in that time slot. Why do something that isn't fun? Use your creativity to boost your fitness potential. Many activities, such as walking the dog, aren't considered “exercise," when in fact they are just that. Then be reasonable about how much exercise you are really going to be able to do five days a week, every week, all year long. Start by promising yourself 30 minutes of exercise per session. It may sound wimpy, but it's realistic. Your goal is to shift your thinking from “this is what I have to do to get into shape” to “this is what I do.” If you have not exercised for some time or maybe even never, even 20 minutes a day is going to have you feeling great in no time. In the first few weeks, don't under-schedule yourself. A 30-minute workout means 30 minutes of “working out.” Not five minutes to find your sneakers, one for putting them on, and 15 minutes looking for your sunglasses. If you're that kind of person, you'll need to schedule yourself an hour in order to get half an hour's workout. Over time, however, you will become more efficient at getting going, and have more time to exercise. Steps 1 & 2: How to Make Exercise a Priority and Find the Time |