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Are You a Yo-Yo Exerciser? How to Keep Your Workout Routine on Track

If you’re a yo-yo exerciser, you’re not alone. For many people, the hardest part of exercising isn’t getting started — it’s keeping it going. So what can you do to stay motivated?

Motivation to Move

According to new research, the factors that motivate people to start exercising are often different from the ones that keep them active over time. Those factors include:

• confidence in one’s ability to reach goals;
• satisfaction with a workout routine;
• access to home equipment;
• support; and
• perceived benefits of physical activity.

Researchers found that people with home exercise equipment were most likely to begin an exercise program. However, that equipment did not keep them motivated. Instead, people who were confident they would exercise in different situations and those who had a high level of satisfaction with their routine were most likely to maintain their activity.

What’s Holding You Back?

Valerie Briones-Pryor, M.D.
• Set realistic goals. “If you’ve been a couch potato for years and suddenly decide to run five miles each day, you’re setting yourself up for failure,” said Valerie Briones-Pryor, M.D., internal medicine specialist at Jefferson Medical Associates. “Set more realistic goals instead. Start with a brisk 10-minute walk and gradually increase your activity.”
• Find activities you enjoy. The more satisfied you are with your routine, the more likely you are to stick with it.
• Identify and work through roadblocks. “People who overcome obstacles such as bad weather or lack of time tend to stay motivated,” said Dr. Briones-Pryor. Find a way to work exercise in no matter your roadblock. Grab an umbrella and walk in the rain, walk during your lunch break or do jumping jacks while you watch TV. Every little bit helps!