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The Exercise Dilemma

When anyone first starts working out, it is definitely hard to motivate yourself to do it. If you are planning on working out in the evening, you often get distracted by something else (TV, friends, food, etc.), basically anything that will convince yourself that you don't have time to exercise that night. And if you want to work out in the morning, you debate between leaving your warm, cozy bed to put on exercise clothes and exercise. However, once you start working out consistently and get into a routine, it becomes easier and easier to push yourself to work out. Here are some tips to help you get into a consistent exercise routine.

First of all, you want to make sure that you eat properly before exercising. If you consume heavy, greasy foods, or a lot of food all at once and then exercise, you are definitely going to feel sluggish. And if you consume a lot of these same foods before going to sleep and then wake up early in the morning to work out, your body won't have had enough time to digest that food, thus making you feel bloated and heavy. Eating veggies, lean proteins, etc. will make you feel full but less sluggish and bloated, and make working out easier.

The second tip is that you want to have a regular sleep schedule. Going to sleep at 2 am or later and waking up at 8 am to work out may work for people, but it is way better to sleep for seven to eight hours before waking up. If you constantly go to sleep and wake up at varying times (going to sleep at midnight one night and waking up at 8 am or going to sleep at 2 am and waking up at 7:30 am, etc.), you will disrupt your internal circadian rhythm, which may make you more tired in the days and weeks to follow. Trying to go to sleep and wake up at relatively the same time every day will definitely make it easier for you to wake up and work out. Also, limiting technology before sleeping will make it easier for you to sleep better.

The third tip is to find something that will make exercising enjoyable. It is super beneficial to find something that will motivate yourself to wake up and exercise. Listening to your favorite genre of music, getting to show off your new clothes or new running shoes, or exercising with a friend are just some ways that make exercising more enjoyable for people. Finding something that will really make your excited to work out will really make working out easier for you.

The fourth tip is to find exercises that work for you. Not everyone does the same work out; some people only do yoga, others rely solely on running, others do a variety of workouts, etc. Whatever you find works for you, continue doing that. Personally I really enjoy running, but I also enjoy doing yoga occasionally as well as pilates and weight lifting. Everyone is unique, and prefers certain exercises. Whatever exercise(s) work for you and your body, stick with that. Finding workout routines that work for you individually is vitally important.

Finding the motivation to get yourself out of bed and out the door to the gym or wherever you exercise will make exercising so much easier for you. Yes, the first few days of working out will be hard, and you will definitely be sore, but once you work past all of that and get into a consistent routine, you will find working out so much more enjoyable. Working out allows you to get fit, and become a healthier you. If you are already working out, great job and keep doing it, and if you are just starting to work out, really push yourself to get those few workouts done with, and then you will find it so much easier to exercise. Just make sure that you have fun working out, and know that each workout session you do is aiding you in becoming healthier.

Tips inspired from: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/type-person-works-morning/story?id=40290708 




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