Tip of the week: How to stick to an exercise routine

Focus on the finish. Immediate desires typically govern our actions, so know that skipping your daily exercise will always be a temptation. When your resolve wavers, leapfrog your inertia with this pep talk: “Twenty-five minutes from now, I’m going to feel amazing.” Also, share fitness goals with friends. It’s harder to wimp out when someone else can “hold you to your word.”

Diversify. If weight loss is your goal, expect to plateau weeks or months into your routine. When that happens, try switching things up: If you turn from swimming to running, for instance, “the weight will come off as your body rises to the challenge.”

Improvise. If child-care duties prevent a trip to the gym, join the kids in a game of soccer or tag. On rainy days, stage a dance party. Remember: There’s no such thing as “too busy” to work out.

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Source: Better Homes and Gardens