Do you struggle with consistency? Here are my 4 tips to make the exercise habit stick:

1. Set yourself up for success with commitment tools and anything else you need to eliminate obstacles. Get the accountability you need by hiring a trainer and pre-paying for sessions. Hire a babysitter for the kids. Do whatever else you need to do so that nothing is getting in your way.

2. Start small (frequency and intensity). If you’re new to working out don’t expect to do 5 bootcamp workouts every week. Start with 2 or 3 days per week and include things like walking and yoga. If you start like a firework, you’ll fizzle out fast.

3. Be in it for the long game. Understand what the benefits of exercise are and what they aren’t. Exercise is great for managing anxiety, improving confidence, improving sleep, reducing pain, correcting posture, building bone density, preventing cognitive decline and diseases. Exercise is NOT the best thing for weight loss. Instead of looking at the scale after workouts, keep in mind the benefits you’re going have 10, 20, 30, 40 years from now. If you don’t look for quick results, you won’t be disappointed when you don’t see them.

4. Find something you enjoy. If you are dragging yourself to cycle class and you hate it, It’s doing nothing for you. Try different types of exercise, different classes, different instructors, and different trainers. Change your mindset: Exercise is not punishment. You are not working off the calories you ate. And you are not exercising to earn your next meal.