Last week we organized your diet – this week we turn to exercise.

Do you wish you could be one of those people who exercises consistently? You can be!

A big part of the challenge of having a workable fitness plan is getting organized – which we’re just about to do. Once you’ve covered that, the battle is half-won.

Remember: you only need 30 minutes for the basic mission. Extended Options are below.
If you’re new, you might like to start here -> 52 Organizing Missions.

Get Organized Mission #38:
Organize Your Exercise

Step 1: Choose Your Fitness Activities (10 minutes)

To start with, let’s decide on your fitness activities.

Here are two tips for choosing suitable activities.

1. Choose fitness activities that are pleasant

You may prefer to gnaw off your own arm than do group fitness classes at the gym. This is a subtle sign not to choose such activities.

On the other hand, the thought of early-morning walks may strike you as vaguely non-repellent. Give these a go.

2. Choose fitness activities that are convenient

Life doesn’t usually stop to accommodate your exercise program, so it’s smart to choose fitness goals that are convenient to achieve.

The further you have to drive or walk, the greater the expense, and the more equipment you need, the higher the barrier you have to scale every time you exercise. If you have any doubts about your motivation, you might prefer to opt for convenient exercise over more onerous choices.

Bearing in mind these points, choose from these or other fitness activities:

• Walking
• Jogging
• Running
• Weight training
• Stationary cycling
• Outdoor cycling
• Sports (tennis, squash, soccer, etc)
• Personal training
• Gym classes
• Dancing
• Boxing
• Exercise DVDs.

Step 2: List Your Fitness Supplies (10 minutes)

Good! Now let’s make a list of any accoutrements you need to buy.

For instance, you may need to get yourself:

• Exercise clothes
• Appropriate shoes
• A bag for your stuff
• A water bottle
• Towel(s)
• A jacket for cold/rainy weather
• Equipment (racquet, skipping rope, weights, etc)
• An iPod with motivating music
• An exercise diary
• Exercise DVDs
• An exercise mat.

Before your first scheduled exercise session (see next step), be sure to pick up these supplies.

Step 3: Schedule Your Fitness Activities (10 minutes)

This is a crucial step, so don’t neglect it!

First, decide:

• How often you’ll exercise – eg 3 times a week
• For how long you’ll exercise – eg 40 minutes per workout
• When you’ll exercise – eg Mondays and Fridays at lunchtime (12.30), Wednesdays after work (6pm).

Next, schedule these sessions into your diary, Google calendar, iPhone, Outlook, whatever you use. If a PA looks after your diary, get them to enter the sessions.

Guess what? These workout sessions are now appointments that need to be honored every week. Respect!

And you’ve done it. You’ve organized a simple and achievable exercise plan for yourself. These 3 steps have set you up well to get started, stay motivated, and achieve your fitness goals.

Dos & Don’ts

• Do see your doctor for clearance if you have any medical issues, haven’t exercised in a while, or want to start something different.
• Don’t feel guilty about taking time for exercise. If in doubt, ask loved ones if they’d rather live with a fit, happy you, or a cranky, unhealthy you.

Extended Organizing Mission Options

Want to go beyond this 30-minute organizing mission?

• Do the mission as a family. You don’t have to actually exercise together – unless you want to! – but you may find it encouraging to complete the steps together.
• If you have more time available, head out to the store and get those fitness supplies now. Getting set up with everything you need can really give your motivation a boost.

Ready, Set, Go!

Remember – move quickly, act fast, don’t overthink.

Start The 30-Minute Timer

Before You Go: Check In!

Please add a comment to say you’ve completed this week’s Get Organized Mission and you’re keeping your commitment.

And see you back here next week!

Track Your Progress: 52 Organizing Missions Workbooks

Same great missions, now in lovely printable workbooks. Each mission includes a fully interactive:

-  Planning Worksheet
-  To-Do List
-  Success Journal.

Learn More

Related posts:

1. Get Organized For Nutrition [Mission #37]
2. How to be Organized in 2009: Day 2 – Health & Fitness
3. Organize Your Fitness: How To Create A Super-Simple Interval Training Playlist