How to stick to your daily workout routine

I’ve never been a sports person. I frequently go hiking and do yoga but I’m not a big fan of heavy duty workouts and I honestly hate gyms. But somehow I’ve fallen in love with a routine that involves spending 40min at the gym every day. How did that happen?!

Well, I was starting to feel a bit restless and moody in the morning and I knew it was lack of exercise (yoga and hiking once a week was not enough to elevate my energy levels). My husband and I had a gym membership that was being unused (so typical), so I decided to give it another go. This time I did a few things differently, and these tactics are the reason why I’ve been able to keep up with the routine for over a month now.

If you’re looking to start a daily workout routine to de-stress and energize your body, then keep on reading!

Start small

Set a goal to work out 15min or 30min first. It is much more realistic and doable than one hour routines. Let’s be honest, one hour at the gym can feel sooo long and boring. With a 15min or 30min routine, it’s much harder to make excuses not to go.

Put your phone on airplane mode

This is a game changer. It is tempting to start checking your Instagram while doing leg exercises but keeping your phone on does nothing but distract you. Besides, by disconnecting from your phone you are able to get some real me time with just your thoughts.

Listen to a podcast or audio book

This is perhaps the main reason I look forward to going to the gym. I put on my headphones and listen to a podcast while on the elliptical machine. It keeps me entertained, I learn something new and before I notice, the workout is done. My favorite podcasts right now are “How I built this“, “Good Life Project” and “Masters of Scale“. Audio books can also be a good option.

Get some fancy workout clothes

You don’t have to go spend a lot of money on expensive workout clothes, but wearing an outfit you like can make you feel good and motivated. H&M for instance, is killing it with their new sportswear collection – super stylish and affordable. One more tip: get your clothes and shoes ready in the evening and put them near your bed so you can jump and get dressed right away.

Work out outfit — top: Nike, leggings: H&M

Treat yourself

At least once a week, treat yourself to something you like as a reward for keeping consistent to your routine. For me, I love getting a latte after my workout on Fridays 🙂

Notice the changes in your body

After 3-4 weeks of working out every day for 30-40min in the morning with my phone on airplane mode and while listening to podcasts, I began to notice significant changes in my body and mind.

I’m in a better mood because I know that no matter how busy the day will be, I already managed to get some quality me-time.
I feel more energetic and focused at work – and I don’t need to rely on coffee anymore
I’m learning new things and constantly inspired – podcasts are AWESOME
I don’t start my day agitated by the message/email/facebook notifications anymore. I only turn my phone on after I’m done with my routine and it’s soooo much better….!