Atomic habits are small, consistent, and repeatable behaviors that we do every day. These tiny habits are the building blocks of larger and more significant habits, and they have the power to improve our lives in a big way. When it comes to our fitness routines, building positive atomic habits can help us achieve our fitness goals and improve our overall health and well-being.
The first step to building positive atomic habits is to identify the habits that are currently holding us back. This might include things like skipping workouts, indulging in unhealthy foods, or staying up too late. Once we have identified these habits, we can start to make small changes to our routine that will help us break these negative patterns.
One of the most effective ways to build positive atomic habits is to start small. Instead of trying to overhaul our entire fitness routine, we should focus on making small changes that we can sustain over time. For example, if we want to start working out more consistently, we might start by committing to just 10 minutes of exercise per day. Over time, we can gradually increase the duration and intensity of our workouts until we are consistently hitting our fitness goals.
Another key to building positive atomic habits is to make them a part of our daily routine. This might mean scheduling workouts at the same time every day or setting aside time each week to meal prep healthy meals. By incorporating these habits into our daily routine, they become second nature, and we are more likely to stick to them over the long term.
It’s also essential to have a plan in place for when we inevitably slip up. Nobody is perfect, and we all have days when we fall off track. Instead of beating ourselves up over these slip-ups, we should have a plan in place for how we will get back on track. This might mean scheduling a workout with a friend or setting a reminder on our phone to go for a walk after work. By having a plan in place, we can quickly get back on track and stay committed to our goals.
Finally, it’s essential to celebrate our successes along the way. Building positive atomic habits is not always easy, and it takes time and effort to make lasting changes. By celebrating our successes, no matter how small, we can stay motivated and continue to build momentum toward our goals.
So, how can building positive atomic habits improve our workout? By focusing on small, consistent changes to our fitness routine, we can achieve the following benefits:
- Increased consistency: By making exercise a daily habit, we are more likely to stick to our workout routine over the long term. This consistency leads to better results and improved fitness overall.
- Increased motivation: When we see progress in our fitness journey, we are more motivated to continue pushing ourselves. By celebrating our successes along the way, we can stay motivated and committed to our goals.
- Improved performance: By gradually increasing the duration and intensity of our workouts, we can improve our overall fitness and athletic performance. This improvement in performance can help us achieve our fitness goals faster and with greater ease.
- Better overall health: Regular exercise has been shown to improve overall health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. By making exercise a daily habit, we can improve our overall health and well-being.
Here are some examples of atomic habits you can build to improve your workout:
- Start small: Instead of trying to go from no exercise to an hour-long workout every day, start with a small habit that you can maintain consistently. For example, commit to doing just 5 minutes of exercise every day. Over time, you can gradually increase the duration and intensity of your workouts.
- Make it a part of your routine: Schedule your workout for the same time every day so that it becomes a habit. For example, you might decide to work out first thing in the morning before starting your day.
- Track your progress: Use a habit tracker to record when you complete your daily exercise habit. Seeing your progress over time can be a great motivator and help you stay committed to your goals.
- Create an accountability system: Find a workout buddy or join a fitness class to hold yourself accountable to your exercise habits. Knowing that someone else is counting on you can be a powerful motivator.
- Use a cue to trigger your habit: Choose a cue that will remind you to do your daily exercise habit. For example, you might decide to do your exercise habit right after brushing your teeth in the morning.
- Reward yourself for your progress: Celebrate your successes along the way, no matter how small. For example, treat yourself to a healthy snack or a relaxing bath after completing a week of daily exercise.
By building these atomic habits into your daily routine, you can create lasting change in your fitness routine and overall health. Consistency is key when it comes to building habits, so start small and focus on making your daily exercise habit a part of your routine. Over time, you’ll be amazed at how much progress you can make by taking small, consistent actions every day.
In conclusion, building positive atomic habits is a powerful tool for improving our workout and achieving our fitness goals. By starting small, making habits a part of our daily routine, having a plan in place for slip-ups, and celebrating our successes along the way, we can make lasting changes to our fitness routine and improve our overall health and well-being. So, whether you are just starting out on your fitness journey or looking to take your workout to the next level, building positive atomic habits is a strategy that can help you achieve your goals and live with fulfillment.
Here are a list of a couple of self-help books that I get help to build my atomic habits:
Atomic Habits: the life-changing million-copy #1 bestseller
3 Habits That Are Killing Your Happiness Every Single day!: (And How to Break Them)