Back into fitness routines

Let's talk fitness routines! I've always had a love for fitness, and I can go pretty hard core when I want to.  As much as I've also worked hard to build a steady routine of working out before leaving for work, which also gets the endorphins into full swing, I can also lose steam when life gets busy and the days gets shorter.

I find the months of December and January particularly hard, as do also feel the effects of Seasonal Defectiveness Disorder, or SAD.  Those are the days and weeks I really should be hunkering down and sticking to my routines, but alas, I too am human.  I've been back into a fairly steady 5 day a week fitness routine for the past month, and feeling great!  So why don't you join me?

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Tips for getting into a fitness routine

So how does one get back into a routine, or start a routine from scratch?  Then again, how does one go from not being active to wanting to start moving?
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• Get an accountability partner ~ join a local group or club, or find one on Facebook.  This can even be a friend that is looking to start moving more.  And if you're stuck, you can always join my Facebook group.  Just let me know!
• Schedule it ~ Plan a time that works for your schedule (I really recommend mornings) and schedule it in your planner.  Think of this time as an important meeting you cannot miss.
• Avoid the snooze button ~ Once you hit that button, it's a hard habit to break.  As soon as your alarm goes off, open your eyes and count to 3! Then get your butt out of bed.  It takes some willpower, but after about a week, it does get easier.
• Lay out your gear the night before ~ Getting out of a warm bed is often half the struggle, especially in the dead of winter.  So have your workout clothes staring at you as soon as you get up.  You can even go to bed in your clean workout clothes so that the mornings are already set up for success.
• Make it fun! ~ Love to run? Join a running group.  Love to dance?  Find a Zumba class.  Hot Yoga?  There are some great yoga fitness classes at many studios.  Want to incorporate your love for the outdoors? Maybe you can find a bootcamp class that runs at your local park, or find a local trail/hike to challenge yourself with.  Go kayaking, paddle-boarding, swimming! The possibilities are endless!
• Online classes ~ There are many videos on YouTube you can find, but there are also many streaming services for a reasonable fee that you can join.  Apple has their fitness programs, but you can also check out Beachbody.  I can set you up with this, including a 2 weeks trial membership to see if it's the right fit for you.  

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I hope that these tips help motivate you to start or continue being active.  Just like anything, it takes time to build a habit and routine, but with a little bit of grit and determination, it is possible!