Top Tips to Stay On Track to Reach Your Goals

When it comes to your health and fitness goals, it can be hard to stay motivated. You may start a new meal-prep habit or exciting fitness regime, but after a few months, the novelty wears off. Then, before you know it, you’re back to your old ways.

It’s not always easy staying motivated, even with the utmost determination. You may fall off track when you don’t start seeing immediate results. However, making sure to schedule your activity is a great way to stay committed and stay on track to reach your goals.

Here are some top tips on how to schedule your activity effectively to stay motivated and maximize results.

Create a Calendar

Having your calendar laid out is a great way to stay on track. By blocking out your days with all of the meetings and events you have coming up, you can see where you have free time to get your workout in. If you’re going to be free every Sunday morning, use this time to go for a long walk with your dog or meet your friend at the gym for an invigorating workout class.

Work Out in the Mornings

Establish a routine by setting out a specific time to work out each day. If you can, schedule your activity in the mornings; you’ll feel more energized going into the day and be less likely to be sidetracked by whatever life may throw at you later on. If you decide that you're going to exercise every evening at 6 pm after work, you may find yourself too tired or unable to commit the same way. One or two missed workouts become several workouts until you end up falling off track and giving up altogether.

Schedule Lunchtime Walks

Scheduling lunchtime walks will encourage a routine of actually taking a lunch break. This is something that many of us forget to do, especially while we’re adjusting to working from home or being back in the office.

Regularly heading outside for a walk provides the opportunity for you to get some fresh air and take a much-needed breather from your work.

Keep Your Schedule Simple

Simplicity really is key to staying on track when it comes to your workout schedule. When things are too complicated, it can demotivate you. Start small and keep your schedule simple. Small steps lead to big changes in the long run.

If you want to start running, but you’ve never run for more than a few steps for the bus, don’t schedule a 5-mile run every day. Instead, begin with manageable distances and build up towards your 5-mile goal.

Similarly, if you’ve decided to commit to the gym, but you’re not used to working out, don’t head into the gym for a two-hour intense workout the first day you sign up. Try a short 15 minutes HIIT circuit or low-intensity classes and adjust your goals as you establish a routine.

Schedule Rest Time

Rest time is just as important as the time you spend exercising. If you don't schedule days to rest, you are not giving your body a chance to recover.  Importantly, recovery doesn’t mean you have to be completely sedentary. Instead, you can focus on active recovery. Go for a leisurely stroll through the park or take a moment to stretch with a gentle yoga sequence; just try not to overdo it. You want to feel rested and ready to jump back into your routine so that it remains something you look forward to rather than a commitment you have to power through.