85. Strategies to create – and maintain – a workout habit
Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career.
A large percentage of people who set New Year’s resolutions this year will try to start exercising. But it’s not just about starting a behavior. It’s about sticking with it. Here are some medical and behavioral science ideas to help you start and stick to a workout habit. First, remind yourself every day by setting calendar reminders in your phone. Boost your motivation to exercise by surrounding yourself with others who exercise regularly. Yes, this includes people in your real life, but also follow people on social media who post pictures and discussions about workouts. Use temptation bundling, where you allow yourself to do something you like, such as watching a show or listening to a podcast, but only when you are exercising. And if you miss a workout, give yourself a small reward for going back to the gym the next day.
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
