If you want to make a new fitness routine stick, September is ‘the’ month to do it.
If you’ve found it difficult to stick to a fitness routine amidst the chaos of summer holidays, work and catching up on socialising, don’t worry – September is here and it’s scientifically proven to be the perfect time to reset your fitness routines, set new goals and reclaim your motivation.
Why September?
For most people, it’s New Year’s resolutions and January 1st that act as a marker for a whole new fitness focus, however, September is more effective if you want to start a new fitness regime.
The mornings and evenings are still much lighter than in January, giving you time at the start and end of each day to exercise outdoors. It’s much warmer in September than in January, no snow or blizzards to contend with!
As an added bonus, without the public pressure of sticking to New Year’s resolutions, you can quietly build up your resilience to exercise, which in turn means that you’re much more likely to stick to your workouts as the weather turns chillier.
Back to routine
Now that the summer holidays are over, more people are returning to their usual work schedule and the kids are going back to school, it’s a great time to take some time to think about what we want our lives to look like. It’s time to take back your much needed “me time”. Embrace September as an opportunity to regain control, set goals and create healthy routines.
So, that’s why September is a good month to reset and refocus. Below are ways to ensure you stick with it.
Plan your workouts into your schedule
Don’t be vague about when you’ll do your workouts as you’re less likely to do them. Instead, plan a specific time into your calendar that will actually work for your timetable and also your body clock. As a starting point., if you’re a morning person, early workouts are probably key, while for evening people, lunchtime or teatime slots might work better. Hiring a Personal Trainer is great for accountability. At NRG 4 Life Fitness, you might decide to do this twice a week to qualify for a free gold membership or simply once a month exercise program written up for you to do on your own. The choice is yours so meet with the trainer and together you design a plan based on your goals, needs and budget.
Put your workout kit out the day before
“The day before, get your kit out ready for your next day’s workout and leave it somewhere prominent so that it reminds you that you are committed to that decision to exercise,” says Jacquie, another certified trainer on Team NRG. This means that you’re mentally prepared. and it also helps you make a silent promise to yourself to complete it.
Buddy up
Join up with a friend for at least one of your workouts a week. “By committing to exercise with a pal you add a slight social pressure and can hold each other accountable if one of you doesn’t turn up,” says Karen, another one of MRG’s certified Personal Trainers . “It’s also more fun! Time flies when you’re doing an ab workout with a buddy!”
“Small group training is really picking up here at NRG. It’s great to see friends working out together as it really keeps people motivated.” says Maria Boglis one of the certified Personal Trainers at NRG 4 Life Fitness.
Celebrate your wins
Another good tip is to give yourself a mental pat on the back. If you’ve had a particularly good session or completed it when you weren’t feeling motivated, this is a huge accomplishment to celebrate.
“After I’ve exercised, I often say to myself, ‘I feel really good. Well done for getting up this morning and getting your workout done.’ It’s a positive affirmation and helps to lock it in.” Olivia G, NRG member since 2023.
Jot down your post-workout endorphin highs
Keep making excuses to skip your workout? Then it’s good to remind yourself how positive you feel after a session, rather than focusing on the struggle to start one. To help you do this, after nailing a session, write down how it felt to bask in the after-glow of the endorphin rush. Then, next time you’re making excuses about being too tired, hungry or drained to work out, you can look at your notes and read how you felt. It’s a positive cue to help you get going.