11 Dos and Don’ts to Unlock Your Fitness Potential

To find an exercise routine you’ll want to stick with, put these expert tips into play.

Making fitness goals is easy - keeping them is hard. How do you prioritize exercise when there are a million other things on your to-do list? What's the secret to staying motivated? And do fun workouts even exist?

So many things to consider! But here's the thing: Committing to a fitness routine is a surefire way to boost your physical and mental health,. It's essentially a shortcut to being your best self.

To find an exercise routine you’ll want to stick with, put these expert tips into play:

Do: Keep Your Eyes on the Prize

Regular exercise offers a ton of amazing health benefits, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Among them:

• Higher energy levels
• Better sleep
• Clearer thinking
• Increased confidence
• Improved strength
• Lower disease risk

That's just a short list! Keeping these benefits in mind can help you tap into your inner athlete, says Katie Collard, a certified strength and conditioning coach based in Washington, D.C.

Stay active, have fun, get fit —with SilverSneakers! Classes and events are happening right now at participating gyms, online through SilverSneakers LIVE, and at community centers near you. Activate your free online account to get started.

Do: Use Technology to Stay Fit

Fitness watches and phone fitness apps can track your steps and movement minutes, providing extra incentive to build on the fitness routine you’ve started. A good fitness app to try is SilverSneakers GO.

Many gyms and fitness studios offer digital coaching and online streaming sessions, so you can take your workout anywhere.

Do: Find Buddies to Keep You Motivated

Research in the British Journal of Health Psychology shows that working out with a new partner helps you stick with it. And if you don’t have a like-minded friend nearby, you can join social media groups to help spur you on. Or just hop into a SilverSneakers class at your local participating gym or community center. One of the best things about a SilverSneakers is the camaraderie of our members. Here’s everything you need to know about What Is SilverSneakers and How to Get Started.

Do: Prioritize Consistency Over Intensity

You’re more likely to build a lasting fitness habit by aiming for more frequent, moderate-intensity workouts (think, a daily 30-minute brisk walk) rather than diving in to two or three marathon bootcamp-style sessions a week, says Pete McCall, exercise physiologist, certified personal trainer and author of Smarter Workouts.

Do: Try Habit Stacking

This is a good trick if you’re just jumping in to exercise. The idea is to piggyback a new habit — exercise — on top of an existing daily habit. For example, doing a short yoga flow while your coffee brews, or doing 5 minutes of core strength exercises before you get dressed.

Do: Make it convenient

All the buzz about a new kickboxing studio or the fitness class with a waiting list means nothing if it’s a hassle to get there. Choose a gym that’s within five miles of your home or work. And prep your gear and pre-workout snack ahead of time so you’re ready to go. (Here’s how to find SilverSneakers gyms near you.)

Don’t: Wait for the “Perfect” Time to Exercise

There is no such thing: Family issues come up. Weather throws a curveball. Instead of holding out until you have time, pen your workouts into your already busy day - and feel good about doing something good for yourself.

Don’t: Be Hard on Yourself

It's an adjustment to start any kind of new routine, so get back out there if you miss a day. Give yourself at least eight weeks for your new healthy habit to stick.

Don’t: Play the Comparison Game

You don't have to be "good" at a workout in order to do it or reap the benefits from the movement, say Collard and McCall. And just because the person in the front row of a fitness class looks like they could practically lead it doesn't mean that you won't be able to rock the steps soon.

The real goal of exercising is not about being able to execute flawless burpees or hold a plank for forever. It’s about doing something positive for yourself.

Don’t: Overdo It

A good workout will push you, but you should never be in pain. Skip workouts that put too much pressure on your joints or aggravate existing health conditions.

One nice thing about the SilverSneakers instructors who lead our classes is that they are specially trained in senior fitness. They know how to adapt exercises for your needs and to prevent injury.

Don’t: Use Exercise as a Punishment

This mindset only serves to set you up for failure. Instead of thinking of exercise as something you have to do, think of it as a small luxury that you get to do.

1. K. Aleisha Fetters is a certified strength and conditioning coach and author of My Pocket Guide to StretchingSee our sources:
   Health benefits of physical activity: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
   Benefits of exercising with a partner: British Journal of Health Psychology

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