Making Exercise Consistent

Exercise is widely recognized as one of the five pillars of health for good reason! Exercise plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy weight, strengthening the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal system, boosting mental health and cognitive function, and promoting longevity and overall quality of life. And when you incorporate regular (this word is key!) physical activity into your daily life, this consistency starts to form and shape the mind and body into the healthiest version of yourself, and that’s just what you deserve. So how do you make exercise a consistent part of your life? Practice keeping promises to yourself: We often set lofty goals that aren’t realistic. Start with small, attainable targets that you can reach. If you know that no matter what you can walk for 10 minutes 3 days a week, make that promise to yourself and keep it! Start where you’re at, not where you think you should be. Find activities you enjoy: Whether it’s yoga, running, walking, or dancing, make the time to fit it into your schedule. You aren’t always going to feel motivated to exercise, but choosing activities you love doing makes it much easier to get motivated and stay consistent. Find a buddy or join a class: Exercising with a friend or joining a yoga class can provide accountability and connection. We’re better together and when we can share goals and celebrate achievements with the help of genuine support, anything feels possible. By incorporating some of these strategies into your routine and staying committed to movement, over time, you won’t know how you ever went a day without it! More to come on the benefits of exercise next week :) Kelsey Jones, DTR Registered Dietetic Technician Certified Yoga Instructor