Exercise: A Hard Habit to Make

Talking the talk and walking the walk are miles apart when it comes to exercise. How many people do you know (yourself included) talk about exercising in order to lose weight, tone up, or "get in shape"?

I have no doubt people understand the importance of exercise, but making the commitment to and being consistent with cardiovascular fitness, weight training and flexibility exercises are their missing links to making exercise a habit.

Make exercise a habit by finding activities that fit your personality.

Introverts, try swimming, jogging, weight training, or yoga. Swimming is a great solo exercise because you can't have a conversation when your face is in the water! If you want to avoid chit-chat when you get out of the pool, claim to have water in your ears by pointing to them helplessly while shaking your head.

Extroverts, join group exercise classes or sports teams. Your commitment level can skyrocket if you challenge your classmates or teammates to meet certain goals. Warning: too much competition will get you shunned by others. Be friendly about it and offer encouragement whether you are pulling ahead or falling behind.

If you are internally motivated (doing things for self-satisfaction), set a personal goal for a 5K (for example) and when people ask how you did, say, "Great! I met my goal!" It won't matter if they can run a 5K faster because you met YOUR goal, not theirs. More than likely, they won't know what a 5K is, but they will be impressed with your achievement. Setting and achieving goals will help you make exercise a habit.

For the externally motivated (participating for the benefits), you might pursue bodybuilding so the opposite sex will be awed by your amazing physique. Running a race for the prize (more likely a T-shirt than a large cash sum) may also prove successful for maintaining your exercise habit.

For habit-forming results, be consistent with your exercise program.