HOW TO GET IN THE RIGHT MINDSET TO
WORKOUT
How do you convince yourself to run five miles in the morning ? It takes discipline , planning and a commitment to working out . But how do you develop the right mindset to exercise and stay focused ? Avril James , a personal trainer and mindfulness instructor for Piedmont Healthcare , shares four tips .
1 . Have an accountability partner . “ I think it ’ s helpful to find someone to be your workout
26 partner ,” James says . “ There are times where traffic is bad , and you ’ re just tired . But if you know someone ’ s going to meet you at the gym , you won ’ t make an excuse to not be there .”
Having a gym buddy is also a great way to really push yourself and feel less stressed . Researchers at Kansas State University found that people who exercised with a person who they thought was fitter than they were exercised 200 percent harder and longer than others . And a study in the International Journal of Stress Management showed that people who rode a stationary bike for 30 minutes with a friend felt calmer after their workout than people who cycled alone .
2 . Set a realistic goal . “ Before setting a goal , I always encourage people to consult a physician or an exercise physiologist , because they often think they need to lose a lot more weight than they need to ,” James says . “ And your goals