An exercise routine does not have to involve complicated regimens and killer workouts. In fact, the best exercise plans for six months involve activities that you enjoy and that easily fit into your lifestyle, making it more likely you will maintain your exercise habits for the long term. Create routine wherever necessary to make exercise a priority, but allow for some variation in what you do during your workout to keep the exercises interesting and challenging. If you have injuries or a medical condition, speak with a doctor before implementing a six-month exercise routine.
Step 1
Select a setting that suits your needs. Joining an expensive gym across town may prove too inconvenient to be worth it. Locate a class, center or outdoor exercise location near home, work or school so you can easily reach it.
Step 2
Set specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound goals, says the American Council on Exercise, which uses the acronym SMART for these goals. They are designed to help you focus on day-by-day and week-by-week workouts rather than the more abstract outcomes you desire at the end of six months. Beginners may set a goal of walking every day for at least 30 minutes. People with a higher level of fitness may set a goal of doing 180 minutes of vigorous cardiovascular exercise weekly, plus two or three strength-training sessions lasting 30 minutes each.
Step 3
Involve motivated, positive people in your goals and exercise routine. Invite a friend with similar goals to meet you at the park for walking or at the club for power yoga. Join a social group centered on your workout of choice, such as a road cycling or mountain hiking group.
Step 4
Track your progress. Keep a journal or spreadsheet listing how long you spend on your workout every day. Add your minutes to a running total, and try to meet or exceed your weekly total the following week.
Step 5
Add new challenges to your workout. As you get more fit, your body becomes overly efficient at doing your workout, burning fewer calories. Increase your endurance and burn more fat by intensifying your exercise routine. If you walk, try a hilly route. If you jog, mix in some 30-second sprints for interval training. Mix cardio activity with resistance exercises such as pushups, crunches, lunges, squats, pullups, yoga stretches and burpees.
Step 6
Measure yourself regularly to assess your progress. Check for lost inches and greater muscles mass and tone.
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