Forming a solid habit of running can feel overwhelming, but with the tips and tricks below, it is achievable.
Therefore, here are 12 ways to make running a habit that sticks forever.
- First Commit to Running for One Week
As a new runner, saying you want to run consistently for one month can feel difficult.
Instead, break that month into weekly bits and focus on running through each week.
Breaking your big running goal into small attainable chunks will easily lead you to the accomplishment of running regularly.
2. Run to Feel Good, Not to Lose Weight
Running to lose weight can discourage you, especially if you don’t “lose weight” as fast as you thought.
Instead, run for the mental benefits and let the physical benefits be a reward for your persistence.
Related: 9 Reasons to Run that Hold Endless Motivation
3. Create a Monthly Calendar
It’s the usual yearly calendar but for only one month.
Write it on a piece of paper and stick it on your kitchen wall so that you tick off that day when you are done with a run.
A calendar serves as a visual reminder of your running progress.
Seeing your progress will give you a sense of accomplishment and motivate you to keep running.
4. Follow Your Motivation Or Inspiration
Who do you follow on social media?
Search for running groups/pages and influencers, and follow them.
The fitness tips and motivation they post can help make exercise a consistent habit.
5. Plan Out the Night Before
To prepare your mind for your morning run, lay out your running gear before bed, set the running time, distance, and warm-up and cool-down exercises.
Planning your morning run the night before decreases procrastination and improves focus.
Related: How to Wake Up Early For a Morning Run
6. Reward Yourself After
Having a reward system for every time you finish a run is a great way to trick your mind into running every day.
A reward is anything that will give you pleasure. And it doesn’t have to be edible.
Even the running calendar discussed above is a reward because you feel fulfilled ticking that day off.
7. Get Your Beauty Sleep
During sleep, the pituitary gland, responsible for growth and reproduction, releases a growth hormone that aids muscle growth and recovery.
That’s why when you sleep enough, you wake up feeling energetic and excited to go out and run.
8. Track Your Runs
Running apps are great for tracking runs as they tell you the total distance you have covered in kilometers or miles, your running pace, the total running time, and the calories burned.
Tracking your runs allows you to see your progress and where to improve, which is great motivation for running regularly.
Examples of running apps are Adidas Running, Map My Run, Run Keeper, and Strava, just to name a few.
9. Set the Alarm
We don’t want an alarm clock to be the reason you break your running consistency. Therefore, set it anyway, even if you believe you don’t need it.
10. Take an After Selfie
A selfie works just like a calendar.
It helps you mark the completion of your run. And let me tell you…
The pride you feel taking that selfie will get you up and running for weeks, months, and years.
11. Take Rest Days
A rest day is a break from exercise to allow your muscles to rest, recover, and recharge. It can be one or two days.
Rest days also keep you anticipating your next run. So, ensure you don’t rest too long that you lose that desire for fitness.
12. Always Choose the Run
Running daily has its challenges because some days you wake up feeling unenthusiastic about exercise.
On those days, choose the run. That’s how you build an unbreakable running habit.
Conclusion
Research says that it takes 66 days to solidify a habit.
With these 12 secrets, you will be a runaholic within no time.
Now I’d like to hear from you.
What other tips can you add to this post to help runners make running a habit?
Please comment below.
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14 Comments
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