If you’re not in great shape when you start off, staying on track with your exercise program can be a challenge. If you’re a beginner, exercise isn’t yet a lifestyle habit for you, so it’s still something you have to plan for and put on your schedule.
Your workouts may feel underwhelming or you may feel embarrassed or ashamed of how hard it is for you or how quickly you tire out. Stick with it! It gets better.
Here are a few tips to help keep your motivation high:
Get a friend to join the exercise program with you. Having a buddy to help you stay on track never hurts.
Chart your achievements so you can see a visual representation of your progress.
Share your successes on your social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, or even set up a blog).
Read other people’s success stories on blogs or support group websites. If they can do it, so can you!
Something else that may help motivate you: High-intensity workouts burn more calories than low-intensity workouts, and therefore take less time. As you get in better shape, you’ll be able to work harder, so you can look forward to shorter workouts!
Fit individuals burn a greater percentage of fat for energy — 70 percent at rest versus less than 50 percent for those who are unfit. Fit people also mobilize their fat stores sooner compared to unfit people, who may take 20 to 30 minutes to tap into their fat stores. The more consistent you are with your workout plan, the better shape you get in, and the more effective your workouts get!