Start Working Out: 5 tips to FINALLY stick with a workout plan

Depending on how long you've known me, you may know that for the majority of my life I was the girl who was last picked in gym class, the last one on the track during the dreaded one-mile run day. I started walking as a means of losing calories, it wasn't a fun exercise, just one I had to force myself to do. Starting in college I did a few more serious running, a couple 5Ks, some yoga, and occasionally a fitness video trend (Beachbody videos like insanity), but could never stick to it.

After I graduated college I realized I had packed on a few more pounds than I was comfortable with. Going vegan helped immensely with my initial weight loss, but I was missing something. I started watching some vegan-fitness youtubers and finally worked up the courage to get a gym membership. Like anything, it was a struggle at first, I had no idea what I was doing. Now I've realized working out and lifting weights has become a hobby of mine. When people ask why I am there, I answer "for fun 😃". If someone told middle School Emily that she would be lifting weights and working out 5 days a week for fun, I would've told you that you were crazy.

So I am 2 years into steadily working out and honestly I just like to change it up. Getting into a routine at the gym can be great, getting in a rut can be boring. So I decided to sign up for a fitness challenge from some of my favorite fitness Instagram accounts: JAKDFITNESS. This challenge has workouts for 6 days a week, a vegan meal plan, and mental health and motivational exercises! This is a great way to stay motivated and to keep challenging yourself!

If you are struggling to stick with an exercise routine - these tips below are FOR YOU! I've been there, done that. Stuck with routines for 3 months then fell off the wagon. Lost and gained weight over and over again. THESE ARE SUPER SIMPLE practices you can implement EVERY DAY.

1) WORK OUT FIRST THING IN THE MORNING

Listen I know this is going to be hard. I know you are going to HATE me for it. But in my experience, you cannot stick with a midday or evening workout long term. Working out later in the day gives you WAY too much time to convince yourself you have more important things to do. Get it done first thing, and then have the rest of the day to yourself.

2) PREPARE THE NIGHT BEFORE

This is in a similar vein to the before tip - but essential. Pack your gym bag the night before (your work clothes, makeup, towel, water bottle) and set out your gym clothes. This way you wake up, put your gym gear on, and grab your bag and head out the door. Once I started doing this my morning became so seamless! Some days I'll literally sleep in the shirt I plan on wearing to the gym - NO EXCUSES!

3) START WITH SOMETHING MANAGEABLE

How many times have you started with a workout routine that is like XX.INSANE-DEATH-WORKOUT.XX and get in a week or two, and honestly are just so exhausted and broken that you literally cannot keep going. Yeah...don't do that. Start by setting your alarm 30 minutes before normal. Get to the gym, get in a 20-30 minute workout, and call it. Once you get comfortable waking up earlier and working out, you can start moving the clock back in 15 minute increments.

4) GO TO A GYM

Listen, Planet Fitness is $10 a month. Just like working out first thing in the morning keeps you from convincing yourself to not go - leaving the house to work out keeps you from getting distracted by all the things you have going on at your house. You will find something better to do (pet the dog, laundry, dishes, quality time with your SO). Don't tempt yourself, get to a gym.

5) THE STORY YOU TELL YOURSELF

Your life (or your perception of life) is all about the story you tell yourself. If you tell yourself "I have to get to work at 7:30, there is no way I can wake up early and get to the gym beforehand". Or - "I am just too busy to work out" YOU WILL MAKE THESE THINGS REAL FOR YOURSELF. Stop making excuses and just do it! If you THINK you need 2 hours to get ready in the morning - you'll take two hours. BUT WHO HERE has gotten ready in 10 minutes when they were being rushed out the door for something? IT IS POSSIBLE!

There you have it! If you implement all or any of these tips, let me know in the comments below! I normally post recipes/food - but working out is probably my second favorite hobby besides cooking so I'd love to post more about this in the future!