Want to Exercise More Consistently? Try This Simple Life Hack

Do you want to know a little secret?

I actually don’t like strength training. (There, I said it!)

That’s right. This Health Coach isn’t a big fan of hoisting around weights (or my own body weight) in the gym or elsewhere.

For a long time I had a lot of guilt and self-judgment around this, but even that didn’t help spring me into action. (Truth bomb: Guilt and self-judgment are terrible motivators!)

So I decided to take a radical step. I decided to become my own best client.

Most of the clients I work with are trying to get themselves to do something that they know they “should” be doing, like

• eating more vegetables,
• drinking more water, or
• turning off their screens in the evening hours.

And whenever we’re not doing something we know we “should” be doing, my job as a Health Coach is to figure out what’s in the way. I’m kind of like the Sherlock Holmes of your healthiest and most vibrant self!

• Is there something we need to learn? (New knowledge or skill set?)
• Is there a logistical challenge? (Time, money, energy, other people?)
• Is there a limiting belief we need to let go of? (“I don’t have what it takes,” “I’m not good enough.”)
• Is there something we’re afraid of? (Failure, success, rejection?)

So I began a little n=1 experiment where I drilled down to figure out my block, implement a new action plan, and take my own advice. Radical, I know.

It turned out to be pretty simple. Strength training had nowhere to live in my life.

I was letting the fact that I have a home gym right in my garage fool me into thinking that I don’t need to schedule workouts.

I was hoping the pure convenience of and proximity to a possible workout would be enough.

Let’s be real. I was waiting for the magical workout fairy to swoop down and make it happen. (Wouldn’t a magical workout fairy be so awesome?)

Enter…the strategy of pairing.

I committed to doing 3 chin-ups each and every time I pull into my garage, which happens to be at least 3 times per day.

That means at least 9 chin-ups per day.

And that means at least 63 chin-ups per week.

That’s SIXTY-THREE chin-ups per week I would otherwise not have done thanks to this simple little life hack that takes up virtually no extra time in my life.

Not a big fan of chin-ups? No problem.

Here are a few more examples of the strategy of pairing in action.

• Do 8 push-ups every time you walk into your house.
• Do a 90-degree wall-sit every time your kettle boils.
• Do a 30-second plank after you brush your teeth.
• Do 15 squats after you hang up the phone.
• Do butt clenches every time you’re waiting at a red light (just think of all the unrealized tight buns out there!)

Now I’d love to hear from you. How will you apply the strategy of pairing to your own life? This little life hack is too simple not to share and put into practice. I can’t wait to read your ideas in the comments below.

Love,

Carolyn

PS: You can check out all of my real food recipes, articles, and tips for living your healthiest life at carolyncoffin.com. That’s also the place to sign up for email updates.