Keystone habits are habits that have a ripple effect, and when designing a healthy lifestyle, exercise is at the top of the list.

One of the first sessions I have with my holistic health coaching clients explores the role of physical activity in their life and lifestyle.

Once I witness clients start to infuse physical activity into their weekly schedules, they often start to become more mindful and aware of their food choices, they hydrate, they have more energy, they sleep better and the list goes on.

Oftentimes, the hardest part is just getting started, and that’s where I advise breaking it down into 3 simple steps.

Determine your movement profile

I start by having my health coaching clients reflect on what type of physical activity they really enjoy. Ultimately, habits will only stick when our brain knows that there’s a reward or satisfying feeling at the end.

Whether it’s running, CrossFit, yoga, cycling, swimming or Zumba, lean into the type of movement you love the most. As a bonus, part of figuring this out will typically involve trying something new!

A few initial questions to reflect on:

What environment do you enjoy the most? Consider location when setting up your movement routines. Some people thrive in a gym setting, others need the structure of a class, and many prefer to be outdoors.

What’s an ideal and realistic time for you? Decide whether you prefer morning, midday, or post work workouts, and which days of the week you’re available. Some weeks will be busier than others, so find what times you can consistently keep sacred and protected on your calendar.

What do you need to get started? Is it a gym membership, new workout clothes, or even knowing where to go in the first place? Write down what might be holding you back now, and break it down into tiny doable steps such as looking up class times or buying new running shoes.

Create a realistic accountability plan

One of the top ways to kick-start an active lifestyle is to create conditions that help hold you accountable. Whether it’s finding a workout buddy, getting a coach, or signing up for a class with a cancellation fee, the addition of structure and investment can be the catalyst for building a habit.

Each week, I have my clients set movement goals. Some weeks it’s the number of times they want to exercise, other times it’s getting a certain amount of daily steps, and sometimes it’s just trying a brand new class or workout.

Beyond just the routine of setting goals, we also talk about ways to celebrate accomplishments and, most importantly, getting ahead of any excuses that come up during the week.

I always advise building in a plan B. If it’s raining or if a class is full, plan for what can be a simple and enjoyable alternative from home.

Shift your mindset

As with many lifestyle changes, 20% is the planning and 80% is the mindset. I always guide my clients to rethink what an active lifestyle means, and how movement can be part of everyday life naturally.

Small choices like taking the stairs, swimming in the ocean, playing with your kids or gardening can be part of your weekly movement goals. An active lifestyle doesn’t always have to look like hitting the gym for an hour 5x a week.

Starting small and staying consistent is the key. When you start to ditch the fast results and short term challenge mentality, you can begin to focus on what feels sustainable and nourishing to your body for the long term.

Every win, no matter how small, deserves to be celebrated as you build the keystone habit of an active lifestyle.

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Livia Marati is a women’s holistic health coach and founder of Ina Wellness Collective. You can send her questions and comments at livia@inawellnesscollective.com.