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The benefits of fitness and health require lifelong cultivation. Here are tips for making activity and wellness priorities in your long-term daily life:

Make movement a habit. Integrate physical activity into your usual routine. Take walking meetings and breaks, use a standing desk, take the stairs, walk or bike to destinations when possible, and workout at the same time each day. Habits are powerful.

Find an accountability partner. Having a friend, personal trainer or group class counting on you increases consistency. You can motivate each other on rough days.

Monitor your progress. Periodically record fitness test results, body measurements, vitals like blood pressure and cholesterol, and other health markers. This holds you accountable and lets you see improvements.

Set new challenges. Sign up for a charity 5K, take a dance class, try a triathlon, hike a mountain, learn martial arts moves, master yoga poses or explore a new gym machine. Variety and milestones amplify motivation.

Make it enjoyable. Any physical activities you look forward to doing are more sustainable. Have fun with workouts by mixing up music playlists, exercising outdoors, watching videos or shows, or making them social events.

Focus on how exercise makes you feel. The endorphin rush, clearer thinking, improved energy and better sleep are powerful motivators. Let how movement makes your body and mind feel better inspire you.

Consider your purpose. Your “why” gives direction to fitness plans. See exercise and wellness practices as a vital way to fulfill your purpose. When your health enables you to fully engage in meaningful activities, motivation comes more naturally.