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How to Become a Fitness Faithful

It’s easy to start a fitness routine, but it can be difficult to make it part of your ongoing healthy lifestyle. All too often, our energy and motivation to get started wears off and life quickly becomes a distraction. It’s time to make exercise a priority. Here’s how:

1. Make it your priority

We often don’t leave enough time in the day to exercise, so put it on your calendar. If you treat your walk like it’s a scheduled event, it’s more likely to happen.

2. Set SMART goals

Goal setting can be a scary task, but it doesn’t have to be. That’s why you should set SMART goals and write them down so you remember. Make your goal specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound.

3. Shake it up

Step out of your routine from time to time. Having a variety of walking paths or new music to listen to will help motivate you to get out on days you just don’t want to.

4. Reward yourself

While there are many long-term rewards of consistent walking, it’s also nice to have a few short-term, milestone-based goals. Make an “if, then” plan. For example, if I walk consistently for 30 days, then I will treat myself to a new pair of running shoes.

5. Have a backup plan

There is no such thing as perfection. If you miss a scheduled walk, find time to make it up. Be careful not to make skipping a habit. You’re making better choices for the rest of your life!

Did you know?

The average person’s stride length is 2.5 feet long, which means it takes approximately 2,000 steps to walk one mile.

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