How To Start Jogging Consistently
Let's face it, getting your butt into a consistent jogging routine is going to be difficult! Like so many people, it's easy to go a few days where you start picking up the habit, but once the motivation goes, so does your jogging routine.
I've been jogging in the morning for several years now. Which isn't to say that I've done it every day (or anywhere close).
However, whenever I do go through a period of say, 1-2 weeks where I don't jog, I can easily pick up right where I left off.
That's because I've picked up a trick or two along the way that almost makes it impossible not to get started again if I so choose. It's these tricks that I would like to share with you.
These lessons have been learned in the trenches. From the mornings where I sat on the couch with a treadmill to the right, and a TV to the left. And choosing the one that will help me a live a longer, happier life.
First, A Lesson In How To Start Anything
It absolutely blows me away at how terrible people are when it comes to trying to start anything new, such as an exercise routine or diet.
They will start off going all out, jogging a million miles a day and/or only eating lettuce. This works great for a few days (a week if they're really motivated) but then they quit. They go from doing the extreme, to doing absolutely nothing!
Let's be smarter than that, by doing the complete opposite!
To start doing anything consistently, begin as slowly as possible. Yes, I realize you won't lose a thousand pounds in a week. However, you will be able to learn how to start jogging consistently now and for many years to come.
If jogging for ten minutes a day seems like a reasonable goal for you, start off by only doing 5 minutes. Make it incredibly easy when you're first starting off!
Time and time again studies have shown it takes around 21 days to form a definite habit. So guarantee your success by completing 21 straight days doing a routine that is as easy as possible.
There's a whole lifetime to make things more challenging! But for now, make sure engrain the habit by starting small.
Make Yourself WANT To Start Jogging
The key to being a consistent jogger is finding a way to make yourself want to start jogging. This advice is less obvious than it sounds.
Let's face it, if there weren't any benefits to jogging, hardly anyone would do it. Working yourself to exhaustion doesn't sound quite as nice as laying on the beach with Margarita in hand does it?
So what do I mean making yourself WANT to start jogging?
I've experimented with several things over the years. For example, I began listening to audio books every time I jogged. If I didn't jog, I wouldn't be able to continue with the story. When I would get into a really good book, I would go weeks without any conscious thought of NOT jogging that day.
I was hooked. And it was a piece of cake.
Another thing I've tried is watching TV when I jog. I made the rule that the TV can't be turned on until I'm on the treadmill. The key to this was making sure that I never broke my rule. I knew that if I started turning on the TV before I started jogging, I was doomed.
Finally, another example I've tried is not being able to have breakfast until I've jogged. When I wake up, I'm usually hungry. So the thought of breakfast is a huge motivator to me. When I got into this habit, I made the effort to immediately get my jogging workout over with so I could start munching on the fresh eggs and toast.
Make Yourself HAVE To Start Jogging
Similar to wanting to be able to jog, there are ways in which you almost have to start jogging.
Think about the person whose doctor tells them that if they don't start exercising, they are at great risk for their life. Do you think these people have any trouble getting into an exercise routine? OK, maybe some of them! But for the most part, people become very motivated when the possibility of death is on the line!
Now, you don't need to motivate yourself by death! But here are a couple of examples of having to jog that you can try...
First, you can make it public that you are going to start jogging. For example, you can have a calendar that you make a checkmark for each day that you jog. Put this in the most public place possible, such as the refrigerator or on your office door. You'll make sure that nobody sees that you've missed a day. Because you know they will get on you for it.
Another thing that I've never tried personally, but I know would work great, is starting to jog with a friend. By doing this, you absolutely can't have a lazy day and skip because you won't want to make the dreaded phone call to tell your friend.
The way other people see us is a great motivator. Use it to your advantage to kick-start your jogging habit.
A Jogging Schedule To "Trigger"
Whether you learn how to start jogging by "wanting" to or "having" to, you'll have even more success if you develop a trigger moment.
What's a trigger moment? It can be anything that you already consistently do every single day. "Waking up" is one of my favorite trigger moments. After all, I've done that pretty consistently for quite some time now!
Other trigger moments you may have are brushing your teeth, eating breakfast/lunch, getting dressed, grabbing the morning paper, putting in your contacts, etc.
Whatever you're trigger moment is, let that event be your "trigger" to start jogging for that day.
For example, if your trigger moment is grabbing the morning paper, get in the habit that after you get the paper, you immediately start jogging.
If you can start jogging based on a trigger moment that you know you will do every day, you've basically guaranteed that you'll develop the jogging habit for years to come.
The Reality Of The Situation
Being able to start jogging on a consistent basis isn't the easiest thing in the world. Otherwise every one would be doing it!
The reality is though that once you've formed the habit, things get easier and easier. After you've been doing it consistently for a month or two, it almost becomes breathing.
It's no longer a constant battle every morning when you wake up to get up and go. You just do it!
The absolute key, as I mentioned before, is those first 21 days. Do whatever is necessary to make absolute sure you can do those 21 days consistently without missing a day.
Make it easy by only going a short distance. Make yourself have to. Make yourself want to....
Whatever it takes!
Like anything in life, the hardest part is getting started. After that, the snowball gets rolling and everything seems to get easier and easier.
Happy jogging!
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