How To Commit To Working Out

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adults get at least 30 minutes of exercise daily. But with a national obesity rate of 33 percent as of 2008, it's clear that a large portion of adults aren't getting the exercise they need to be healthy. If you aren't reaching your daily exercise requirements, starting today and making a fresh commitment to exercise can help you create healthy habits for weight loss, weight maintenance and an overall improved quality of life.

Step 1

Sign an exercise contract with yourself. Within that contract, outline the type of exercise in which you'll engage, when you plan to exercise and what you hope to achieve. Writing out your plan, signing and dating it can help offer a clearer picture of how you'll make exercise a part of your daily life.

Step 2

Set realistic and achievable goals for yourself to stay motivated. Ensure that your goals are specific for the best results. For instance, making an abstract goal to exercise more is liable to cause failure. Instead, a goal to exercise for 30 minutes every day for an entire week is both specific and achievable, making it easier for you to succeed and begin having exercise as a daily habit rather than a fleeting fad.

Step 3

Treat exercise time in the same way you would a doctor's appointment or business engagement. When you make appointments involving others, they're usually unbreakable and you do everything in your power to keep your end of the engagement. Plan exercise with the same mindset. Write it in your date book, program it in your phone and make it the same time every day so it's a set and unbreakable appointment.

Step 4

Ask a friend or acquaintance to be your exercise partner. If you're having trouble committing to exercise on your own, having someone who is counting on you to go for a run or head to the gym can make you more likely to make exercise daily commitment. To make it even more unbreakable, form a pact with your exercise partner to avoid communication unless there's an emergency so you're not tempted to call and cancel.

Step 5

Plan for rewards for your adherence to a workout plan. By choosing small rewards for short-term goals and larger rewards for long-term goals, you can stay motivated to stick to fulfill your exercise contract. Rewards such as a new book, a pedicure, a new outfit or even a short trip can help you continue to exercise, even when you're tempted to quit.