5 ways to make exercise a lifelong habit

I wake up every morning to do a rigorous 90-minute Ashtanga yoga practice while most of the country is still in deep REM sleep mode. The habit has become so ingrained in my routine that I'm often surprised when people refer to this as a big achievement. It's not an easy lifestyle, to be sure, but committing the time to get fit is rewarding on so many levels. I've covered how to beat the most common excuses used to avoid exercise and now, here are some tips on making it a seamless part of your life.

1. Don't think about it, just do it: Do you have to think about brushing your teeth in the morning? How about getting dressed? Taking a shower? Your brain's going to come up with every excuse in the book to stop you from exercising. You will not ever want to get right out of bed and move. So, expect intense internal resistance, and don't give in. Find a form of exercise you (can learn to) love, and let it become part of your morning routine. It doesn't have to be two hours, but there's no negotiation — it must be done. As Yoda says: "Do, or do not. There is no try."

2. Be accountable: As much as I'm sure it annoys some of my followers, I tweet and Snapchat little yoga notes daily. If I'm away or unable to go to the yoga studio, I'll sometimes even Instagram a video so my teacher knows for sure I'm practising! So use social media or grab a buddy so you have someone to answer to.

3. Embrace discipline: This isn't easy, so be disciplined. If you manage to get up early to exercise, you'll see the same discipline seep into other areas of your life. You'll even eat better because you don't want your big fitness efforts to go to waste. Discipline is an underrated life skill that has many rewards, and this is an opportunity to cultivate it.

4. Set out all your gear the night before: I lay out all my yoga clothes (and the car keys!) the night before so I can just roll out of bed, get washed, grab them and go. If you're using a DVD or YouTube video, get them ready to go.

5. Reward yourself: I'm not talking about buying yourself something nice, going to the spa or any of the usual cliché rewards. Look at your body, the change in your mindset: Those are rewards. Pretty soon, you'll get results, especially if you do this daily. You'll feel better, you'll look better (that exercise glow!), and you'll start to see shifts in your body. So, take the time to notice and appreciate those rewards. They far outweigh the punishment you think you're getting when the clock strikes 5 a.m.

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