How long does it actually take to build a fitness habit?

Everyone knows looking after your body is easier when exercising is already second nature – but building the habits to get you to that point?

THAT often feels impossible.

I don’t know if you’ve ever come across of Maxwell Maltz’ 21-day rule for building habits?

Every New Year’s Eve I decide I’m going to read more before bed – not too difficult if I’ve only got to do if for 21 days to make it a habit, right?

Well I recently found out the 21-days-to-build-a-habit thing is a big fat myth! When researchers at UCL studied 96 people for 12 weeks, they found the average time it takes to build a new habit is actually 66 days*.

(Probably explains why every New Year’s Day it takes me about 21 minutes to give up with the book and crack on with Netflix again).

But before you feel too disheartened, there’s loads to be inspired by in this…

1. You don’t need to judge yourself if you can’t master a habit in three short weeks

The evidence shows it takes longer than that, so you’re better off taking your time and embrace the long, gentle route to success and simply enjoy the activity in the process.

2. Perfection isn’t everything

Mistakes don’t matter! The odd mistake has no measurable impact on building those habits long-term, do don’t beat yourself up if you miss an opportunity to exercise. Be kind to yourself and focus on developing strategies to get back on track instead.

3. It’s easier to make small, incremental changes anyway

When you stop thinking about building habits as an event and start trusting the long-term process instead, you don’t just manage your expectations better, you get to focus on little changes that aren’t so hard to make!

At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter if it takes you 21 days to form a habit or 210, because it will take some effort on your part either way.

So if you want some help staying accountable during that process, so you see real, physical change in your health and fitness, we’d love to help.

Please do get in touch if you want to turn a physical problem around or hit the button below if you’d like to know more about becoming accountable to your body through our Pilates classes.

Louise x

*This study makes really fascinating reading – I found a more easily digestible summary of it here in case you’re interested.