Why Is It So Hard To Stick To An Exercise Routine?

If you’ve ever enthusiastically set an alarm for a 5 AM workout only to hit snooze five times and miss it, trust me, you’re not alone. We’ve all been there. Especially when diving into something as intense and rewarding as CrossFit, maintaining a consistent routine can be a roller coaster. But why is it so tough? Let’s take a look below.

Why Is It So Challenging to Stick to the Plan?

1. Lifestyle Mismatch: Maybe you’ve set a goal to hit the a class every single morning, but are you a night owl? If your exercise schedule clashes with your natural rhythms or commitments, burnout or inconsistency is likely. Finding a time that better suits your rhythm and schedule will help.
2. Intensity Overdrive: It’s a common story – a newbie walks into a CrossFit class, witnesses seasoned pros effortlessly nailing difficult movements or heavy lifts, and feels the pressure to keep up. The result? Workouts that are too challenging and may lead to demotivation.
3. Aches and Complaints: No pain, no gain? Well, not always. Persistent pains and aches can be a sign that you’re not giving your body enough recovery time or might be doing exercises with poor form.
4. The Overtraining Spiral: Overtraining for a few days and not resting enough can set you back in more ways than one.
5. Comparison Conundrum: CrossFit is about community, but trying to keep pace with a seasoned athlete when you’re just starting can be disheartening.
6. Setting Unrealistic Paces: Pushing too hard too fast isn’t sustainable. As the age-old tortoise and hare fable goes, slow and steady often wins the race.

A study published in the European Journal of Social Psychology stated it can take anywhere from 18 to 254 days for a person to form a new habit. That’s a huge range! This means while one person might find their groove in a few weeks, others might need several months to make their workout routine second nature.

So, How Can You Stick to a Routine?

1. Know Your Limits: Start slow. Build up your strength and stamina incrementally. It’s okay to scale down a WOD. Remember, even the pros had to start somewhere.
2. Mind Over Matter: Adopt a growth mindset. Instead of thinking, “I can’t do this,” switch to “I can’t do this yet.”
3. Visualize and Track: Create a workout calendar. Checking off completed workouts can offer a satisfying sense of accomplishment.
4. Divide and Conquer: Mentally breaking your routine into smaller chunks can make even the toughest WODs feel more achievable.
5. Find Your Tribe: CrossFit is as much about community as it is about fitness. Bonding with fellow CrossFitters can create a support system that keeps you coming back.

According to a publication in the Journal of Clinical Psychology, one of the key determinants of exercise adherence is setting specific goals and having a structured plan. Sounds simple, right? But how many of us just jump into workouts without a clear goal or game plan?

Ready to Take the Next Step in Your CrossFit Journey?

If you’ve made it this far and are keen to commit to a transformative CrossFit journey, we’re here to help! We offer a No Sweat Intro where you can sit down with a coach, discuss your goals, and together, craft a plan tailored just for you. Trust the process and remember, every rep, every drop of sweat, every challenge is a step closer to a fitter you.

We’re here to help you be the best version of yourself.