11 Dos and Don’ts to Unlock Your Fitness Potential

By K. Aleisha Fetters, C.S.C.S. | October 24, 2024 silversneakers.com

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.

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. 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. 

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. 

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.

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