Do you find yourself backing out of gym plans at the last minute?
Or sinking down on the sofa with a glass of wine when youβd vowed to go to the gym?
Then youβve come to the right place!
A poll by Virgin Active has revealed the rules gym bunnies live by to ensure they donβt miss a trip to the gym β and theyβre surprisingly simple.
I havenβt set foot inside a gym since I became a mum β I go running and swimming instead, and have a mat and dumbbells for strengthening exercises at home β but it can be hard to stay motivated, especially when youβve been running around after the kids all day and youβre knackered from broken nights.
So what can you do? Hereβs what Virgin Activeβs gym bunnies say.
5 simple ways to stick to an exercise routine
1. Go to bed early. Making sure youβre not too tired and have had a good nightβs sleep is cited as key to sticking to an excercise regime – 9.44pm is the optimum time according to the poll.
2. Tell someone else about your plans. Because if youβve already told someone youβre planning to exercise itβs harder to back out.
3. Have three sets of exercise clothes. That way you always have something to wear and arenβt unfurling sweaty gym gear or damp swimming costumes from the dirty laundry basket.
4. Exercise first thing in the morning. Because thereβs less time to change your mind or talk yourself out of it.
5. Pack your gym or swimming bag in advance. Two and a half hours before you plan to go is the best time according to Virgin Activeβs gym bunnies. Then you can’t make excuses while faffing around first.
Do you have an exercise routine and do you find it hard or easy to stick to? If you have any top tips Iβd love to hear them!
Virgin Active is running a #NoExcuses campaign offering 12 months membership with nothing to pay until February and no joining fee until Wednesday January 17th 2018.
I need these tips – I just joined a gym and Iβm SO bad at going! So many excuses x
Great tips, my exercise routine is none existent at the moment, but it’s more to do with a horrendous pregnancy then desire. #TheListLinky
Great ideas here – you know all my excuses haha! #thelistlinky
I am very good at talking myself out of exercise. I’m trying to take ti easy at the moment, this first week back to the school routine has been a killer – no way am I hauling myself out of bed earlier! #TheListLinky
Like you, I don’t like the gym. I found my best way to exercise was to walk significant distances (3+ miles) to do errands etc or to walk/jog familiar routes up a local hill. I even toddler-wear as well if I want to work on my core/strength.
Love these – getting up early and starting so you have less time to change your mind is great. Su #thelistlinky
Definitely need to try and get some exercise in first thing, or I probably wonβt do it at all. Just very hard with a child who wakes at 5-6am. Need to do something though – all about being better at self care in 2018 #thelistlinky
Great tips. The only time Iβve ever stuck to an exercise regime was when I used to get up early and run before anyone else got up. If I leave it till later I always find an excuse to not do it.
#TheListLinky
Fantastic tips!
9.44pm – oh jeez, by that time I’ve only just managed to get Cygnet in bed and am just about going to start with the washing. ahhh. I have no chance. Pen x #KCACOLS
Great tips to motivate someone into a new exercise routine. I may have to revisit this most in a month or two as with a newborn I have no chance of getting to the gym or having time/energy for exercise! #KCACOLS
I need to read these tips because I always manage to talk myself out of exercise! I start a routine and then after a few days completely give up…
#KCACOLS
Oh god, I am all about the excuses these days. I used to work out at home and always had out my work out clothes the night before to just jump straight into first thing so I couldn’t talk myself out of it. I definit #kcacolsely agree that first thing is the best time for me but sometimes I prefer to workout before bed one day then first thing the next day
Having a buddy or an accountability partner is great for establishing all sorts of new habits. https://ststephensgreenpark.ie/exhibition/
oops that link was supposed to say #kcacols
These are great tips! My husband and I are getting healthy and we’ve definitely found it easier to work out in the morning!
Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next time π
These tips are so simple, which is what makes them so great isn’t it! I think getting things packed and ready in advance is key for me, time is so short that it’s easy to back out of exercise plans when it feels like it’ll take too much time to find the right clothes to put on etc before I can start! x #KCACOLS
I have just started back at thee gym and finding it hard. But I make sure I pack my gym bag the night before, have a good nights sleep and go after I have dropped the kids of at school. #KCACOLS
I wake up 2-3 hours before the rest of the household to drink my coffee in peace, read some blogs, write, and exercise! Daily! It’s my thing and I’m sticking to it! Great tips! xoxo #kcacols
Great tips. I have a few sets of gym wear for this exact reason! I am loving going to the gym at the moment, I have really gotten into it properly since Christmas.
#KCACOLS
These are really good tips. I definitely go to bed too late! #KCACOLS
I so need to do these things! I’m a member of my local gym and embarrassingly haven’t been for over 2 months! My son goes instead with my card haha! I’ve had the flu recently so I’ve made a pact with myself to start going again once I’m better! #kcacols
I need to get back into a proper exercise routine. Thanks for the tips! #KCACOLS
Some face tips here. I keep meaning to get back on it but canβt seem to motivate myself!!! #KCACOLS
Some fab tips here. I keep meaning to get back on it but canβt seem to motivate myself!!! #KCACOLS
these are so helpful, especially planning outfits and your gym bag early