How To Stay Committed To Working Out: A 30 Day Fitness Challenge

It’s hard to stay committed to working out as a New Year’s Resolution. I totally get it – I’ve been there many times. There are so many things that can throw you off track.

Illness, busy days and sometimes tiredness are some of the key things that make it hard to keep exercising.

This January, I’m starting a 30 day fitness challenge to keep active each day.

But what if I told you, you could do it with small, easily actionable activities? This 30 Day Fitness Challenge will get you moving!

And all you have to do is one activity a day for 30 days. And you don’t necessarily have to strictly follow the prescribed daily activities, but at least do one thing that gets you moving!

I challenge you to do one as well! Many experts will tell you – start off small. Every bit of activity counts!

NOTE: If you go further beyond this point, I just want to let you know that this post may contain affiliate links. This means I may make a small commission or credits on any purchases you make using these links (THANK YOU!). Read my Disclosure for more information.

What Kind Of Workout Are We Talking About?

If you’re going into full-on gym work-out, or other fitness programs, good for you! Gyms are super full in January, so don’t let frustration with limited access to machines or classes keep you from do a workout.

I find from past experience that busy gyms make it hard to stay committed to working out. You may want to augment gym workouts with activities at home.

For others, like myself who are busy parents and aren’t into the gym scene, the good news is that you can get active every day.

Simple 30 Day Fitness Challenges for beginners are a great way to start getting active.

Heck, chasing after a toddler sometimes feels like a workout at times! It’s easy to get in at least 10,000 steps a day when you have kids.

Don’t let a bit of snow stop you from going for a brisk walk and getting your heart pumping.

The goal for many activity trackers like the Fitbit is 10,000 steps. The CDC recommends 150 minutes of moderate physical activity for adults throughout the week. That’s approximately 8,000 steps a day, with a 30-minute brisk walk included. Canadian guidelines are similar, with a goal of 150 minutes throughout the week – and with bouts of 10 minutes or more of moderate or vigorous activity. Get your sweat on!

Luckily, for anybody who isn’t a runner like me, activities such as brisk walking, dancing and other exercises can get your heart pumping. Even brisk walking in place with high knees while watching TV is an activity that helps burn calories and helps you stay committed to working out.

The best thing is, that these activities in 30-day fitness challenges can be FUN!

Tips On How To Stay Committed To Working Out

So we’ve established that physical activity can be a simple thing and how much we need of it. But how do we keep committed to do something each and every day?

Here are some tips on keeping motivated to working out that are proven to work:

1/ Start out small. Don’t jump into an hour-long walk. Instead, start off with a short 15 minute walk. Build on your activities, adding extra time and repetitions each new week. And don’t be afraid of going outside, even if the weather is lousy. Fresh air helps after being cooped up inside all day.

2/ Have a workout buddy. Whether it’s your spouse or partner, friend or co-worker, doing a 30-day activity challenge is always easier when you have somebody to push you to move on days when you’re feeling lazy.

30 Day Fitness Challenge — Dancing is one of the best ways to be active and most importantly, it’s fun!

3/ Build your activities into your daily schedule. Don’t have time in the morning or evening? Try to squeeze in your activity during a lunch break, or just after work.

4/ Off days do happen. The weather may be inclement. If you’re not feeling like a brisk walk on a cold night, opt to do your workout inside while watching your favourite show. Just keep moving! Make physical activity a daily ritual.

5/ Variety is the spice of life. Do activities you love and change them up each day. One day do a walk around the neighbourhood, and another day do a hike at a conservation area. A change of scenery makes things interesting.

Invest In One Piece Of New Gear

For this 30-day fitness challenge, I’m trying to keep to items that I have at home already. After all, I’m starting it in January and will be recovering from Holiday spending.

However, it’s nice to have one cool new thing that makes it a bit more exciting to be starting a workout routine.

Here are some items that you might want to invest in:

Travel Yoga Mat – Dream Catcher

Eco-friendly, durable and with a slip-free bottom. I like to use a yoga mat for not only yoga stretches but also my leg and arm workouts for stability.