Getting Your Exercise On Track and Organizing Your Life!

This year, the #8 New Year's resolution is to get more organized and the #2 resolution is to exercise more? What is very interesting about these two resolutions is that they are related and each has an impact on the other. So, by successfully accomplishing one, you jump-start the other.

How Are Clearing The Clutter and Exercise Related?

Clutter can affect you by clogging up your mind. It has been proven that clutter can hold you back and surround you with negative energy. By getting more organized in your home and office, it frees up both time and energy to pursue other fulfilling goals such as getting fit and staying healthy.

Clutter influences whether you get to your exercise class with everything you need and whether you get there at all. Don't let clutter hold you back.

Making Your Resolutions Effortless

It takes up to 28 days to install a new habit. A habit is something like brushing your teeth. When you were a child, it was hard to do (or remember to do), but now it is so familiar that it is effortless. By following the easy tips below your exercise and organizing resolutions will become habits, making them effortless.

Getting Started with Organizing For Exercise

Getting organized can be as simple as 15 minutes a day. By taking small chunks of time to organize the cluttered areas in your home, you will be able to accomplish much more during the rest of your day.

1. With exercise in mind, go through your closet and clothing drawers. Collect all your exercise clothes and figure out what works for you and what does not. See what's missing that would make your exercise life easier.
2. Place all your exercise apparel in the same location, and arrange so that it is easy to find and sort.
3. Once your fitness clothes are organized you can see what is missing. If your fitness clothes are outdated, and you are "embarrassed" to be seen in them, consider buying new ones. That will definitely boost your confidence in the gym or class. Take action right away to fill your exercise wardrobe with appropriate pieces. Click here to learn what the best exercise attire is to own.
4. Lastly, but perhaps more importantly, schedule your exercise on the calendar. You may have client meetings, kids activities and your partners' activities there... but what about your activities. Start with 2 times per week, and then move up to 3 or 4 times per week. Making your exercise routine as important as a client or other responsibilities will help organize your time so that you will be able to exercise easily and when you want to.

Tip: Don't let those unused exercise clothes that you no longer want sit in a pile and create more clutter. Any exercise items that you no longer use or need can be donated to the women's shelter near you or to a family in need.

Using Organization to Motivate

1. Get your exercise stuff organized the night before. Lay out clean exercise clothes. Having your fresh towel and water bottle ready can get you out the door in a flash. Remember, if the phone rings, leave it. You have an important appointment with the elliptical!
2. If you exercise during the workday, ensure that your clean workout bag is ready at the door the night before. Remember to bring it home so you can wash your fitness clothes and reload your bag. You likely won't want to put dirty clothes on the next time you exercise. Plus, having energy bars or nuts in your bag is great for a quick "pick me up" snack.
3. Find someone who lives or works nearby pair up with them for exercise. Schedule runs, walks, classes or even snowshoe outings together. Support each other by not letting the other person back out. Reward yourself once a week with a nice cup of coffee or tea after your workout.
4. Set up an appointment with a personal trainer. They usually offer the first consultation for free. For more fun, find a friend who would like to share the trainer. It is also more cost-effective that way.

Whatever kind of exercise you choose to do, you will feel healthier and more productive. And the more consistent you are with your exercise routine, the more energy you will have to get even more organized.

Make this year come alive!

For more great tips visit www.gettingittogether.ca and sign up for "Together Tips". You'll get short easy-to-read tips on everything from clearing the clutter to creating a professional image.

For more ideas on ways to organize your life visit our guide on Organization and Balance.