As Sun Tzu said in The Art of War, “Every battle is won before the war is fought.” Essentially, this means you have to set yourself up for success before you begin—or else there is a high possibility that you won’t succeed.

When it comes to fitness, this means committing to exercise and leading a healthy lifestyle – and establishing a framework to support that commitment. This means ensuring you have the support you need and the commitment mindset you need to make your goals your reality.

A large part of what we do for our clients is help create this framework and hold them accountable to their commitment. If you want help in that regard, we’re here for you. If you’re more of a DIY type, here are a few tried-and-true tips:

4 Tips to Help You Commit

1. Plan to Love It

Many people think of exercise as a chore, which can lead to a mindset of resistance or “I just don’t feel like it,” which is the first step on a slippery slope towards failure. Instead, we challenge you to ‘plan to love it’ – not to hate it. Find activities that get you excited. Exercise with a friend. Stay focused on your goals. And think about how you’ll feel afterward.

During exercise, your body releases endorphins, which are chemicals that help reduce pain and help you feel good. In other words, even though you might not feel like it, you’ll feel that much better post-workout. This is similar to that “runner’s high” that everyone talks about.

2.  Set a Measurement Schedule

In addition to scheduling your workouts, we suggest scheduling ‘assessment days’ too. Regular measurement – which can be actual measurements, scale measurements, or challenge-style measurements (how many push-ups can you do, etc.) – will help you notice the small victories and stay motivated.

3. Incorporate Incentives

Rewards can be hugely motivating for some people. Anything that’s not food can work – from an experience, such as a day off, a trip, or a date at a special restaurant, to a new pair of shoes, golf club or piece of workout equipment – whatever motivates you.

You can attach it to a measurement goal or a frequency goal – like showing up for your workouts for an entire month, a certain number of workouts complete or a new milestone reached.

4. Sharpen Your Goals

All of your goals should be SMART goals. This means Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-oriented. Also, they will likely need to be adjusted as you continue on your journey. Don’t be scared to progress or fine-tune them!

You can also add a bit more kick to your step by reviewing your goals often and reminding yourself why you’re doing what you’re doing.

Start By Making That Commitment Today!

At Nielsen Fitness, we are here to help guide and support you, as well as keep you committed. Whether you’re looking for a trainer in your home or a virtual personal trainer, our team is ready to get you on track toward your goals. Get guaranteed results with our signature process! Contact us today.

Personal Training Toronto
We're here to help you stay committed and accountable to your fitness goals.