Getting myself motivated to get started with something has never been a challenge. The challenge is keeping myself motivated throughout the journey. Take working out as an example in which most of us can relate. We tend to get ourselves motivated to workout only to give up 2 weeks down the road.
What we or I lack is not the motivation but the consistency by forming proper workout habits. I have been working out consistently since 2013 in which I try to workout 4 to 5 times a week at a minimal. Since I started my new job in 2018, I began slowing down in term of working out where I only exercise when I feel like it. And I soon realise that my goal of 4 to 5 times a week began dropping to 2 times a week, sometimes even once a week.
I think most of us can relate to the above with work commitments we have. The realization in the drop of my workout consistency prompts me to do something about it. I still want to maintain the consistency to workout at least 4 times a week.
This post is about my journey in getting myself back on track (not like I am badly off track). But to form the habit of working out at least 4 times a week.
Why is this important to me?
The reason why working out is important to me is the fact that I see many people stop working out when they began working. It is as though work took over their entire life. This is true to me as well to a certain extent. Hence, I make it a commitment to always find time to stay healthy.
As time pass by, we are growing older and hence our body will begin to get weaker. There is no meaning putting countless of hours working but neglecting your own well being. There is no specific goal that I am aiming for but merely to instil a habit to stay healthy. Am I looking to get six packs? Of course not (but that would be nice)! The main goal is to stay healthy.
Other reasons exercise is essential to me:
- Due to my contradicting habits of wanting to stay healthy, I tend to eat unhealthy food (like bubble milk tea).
- Exercise calms me down. While going out for a drink help most people to de-stress. An early morning jog, while everyone is asleep calms me down.
My workout strategy and approach
Why 4 times per week and not 3 or 5? Why not 7? The reason why I chose 4 times per week is that this is the amount which I find sustainable for me. Setting a goal of 7 times per week is just not feasible for me. Setting an unrealistic goal will just not cut it. It is undeniable that there will definitely be work commitments and hence, squeezing 4 workouts each week will still require a level of determination.
Most of my workouts are mainly bodyweight workout which will not take more than 30 minutes of my time. I try to work out early in the morning before work if I have enough rest the night before or else it will be after work.
The fact that my workout is less than 30 minutes making it possible to be done even if I have limited time. When I am on travels, I would try to take a jog around the city which is also a good way to explore the place.
Workouts I do
As mentioned above, all my workout are usually within 30 minutes and usually bodyweight workout. The reason why I love bodyweight workout is simply for convenience. With bodyweight workout, I can pretty much do it anywhere and anytime I want. One platform which I love in terms of bodyweight exercise is Freeletics. You can read more about why I started Freeletics.
There is no fixed routine but the goal is to get myself out to workout. Here are some of the exercise I would usually do.
- Running 4km to 5km.
- Skipping Rope with some basic bodyweight workout.
- Workout with Freeletics. (Use this link to get 20% off your purchase).
- Burpees with some bodyweight workout.
Keeping myself accountable
Starting in January 2019, I have begun tracking my daily workouts in which I would post a photo with a number on my story each day after my workout. Some may find it odd but I find satisfaction seeing my progress since the beginning of the year.
The point is to see if I actually manage to maintain an average of 4 times per week workout throughout. As at 20th June 2019 (the time where I am writing this post), I have managed to clock 99 days of workout since 1st January 2019. That is 99 days/171 days which is equivalent to approximately to 4 times per week.
If you are up to following my occasional number of workout days update, feel free to follow me on Instagram. We can keep each other accountable so feel free to say hi!
Instagram: interestinglyawesome
What are your thoughts on the following? Feel free to connect and share with me on your routine.
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