Beating Exercise Burnout

June 29, 2010
Written by: Julie Bosche, Filed in: Corporate Wellness Programs

The secret to finding the best exercise routine is surprisingly simple.

It’s the one you’ll stick with.

Staying motivated is the key to achieving long-term results from any fitness routine, and keeping your workouts interesting and challenging is the key to staying motivated.

That means you’ll probably have to change up your workouts when you feel yourself getting burned out.

Set new goals once you have accomplished the old ones to rekindle your motivation.

If getting your 10,000 steps a day has become a walk in the park, aim higher. If you’ve tackled a 5K, track down an upcoming 10K in your area and start training.

Sometimes a simple change of scenery might be in order. If you’ve memorized every tree along your bike path, for instance, it might be time to devise a new route.

Dedicated walkers may choose to throw in the occasional hike in the woods for variety (and a healthy dose of nature).

No matter what your exercise of choice, you’re much more likely to be successful if you’re doing something you enjoy, challenging yourself, and acknowledging your successes along the way.

Start (and keep on) moving with these tips for staying motivated from the Mayo Clinic:

Schedule exercise. Once you have a concrete, standing appointment for your workout, you may find yourself less likely to let it slide.

Keep a journal detailing your daily accomplishments and listing new goals you’d like to aim for. Tracking your progress on paper can be an effective motivational tool.

Reward yourself. When you reach a goal, treat yourself to a (healthy) reward. Spring for those new walking shoes you’ve had your eye on, or invest in some new workout music.

Be flexible. It’s OK to take a day off every now and then, as long as you get back on track ASAP. Forcing it when you just don’t feel like working out may put a damper on your motivation.