I’m a firm believer that motivation is a very personal thing. For some people, it’s easier to schedule a workout in advance, while others need an accountability buddy to get them moving. I personally like to set fitness goals and then create rewards for myself when I accomplish them. However, the one thing that motivates me above all else is knowing how good exercise makes me feel—and how much better my mind and body are after a good workout.
Set goals
Setting goals is an important part of any fitness routine. Goals should be specific, like running a marathon in 6 months or training for an Obstacle Course race like a Spartan or Tough mudder in 6 weeks. If your goal is to lose weight, be sure to make it a specific number by a certain time frame. Then you can set actionable tasks to do. Workout 3x a week for 3 months. During those 3 months you can also add tracking macros to keep you on pace.
Setting smaller goals along the way helps to support and motivate the bigger goal at the end. You need to hit markers and feel good during this process otherwise you will quit before you even get started.
Track your progress
Tracking your progress can help you stay motivated. It’s easy to get discouraged when you’re trying to change your lifestyle, but tracking will show you that all of the effort is worth it in the end.
Start by keeping a simple spreadsheet or fitness app on your phone, or even just writing down what workouts you do each day in a notebook. Then, look back over time to see how far along you’ve come–and don’t forget about those times where things didn’t go as planned! That information will be helpful when setting new goals for yourself next week or next month (or even just tomorrow).
Find a workout buddy
Finding a workout buddy is one way to stay motivated and accountable. You may have heard the phrase “you are the average of the five people you spend most time with,” so it makes sense that if you want to be healthy and fit, then surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals will help you achieve your goals.
Once you’ve found someone who shares similar interests as well as a commitment to their own wellness, make sure that both of your schedules work out so that neither person misses out on workouts due to conflicting schedules or other obligations.
Having a friend for support and accountability can be crucial to seeing success.
Make time for yourself to exercise
It’s important to take care of yourself and your body, so make sure you’re doing something that makes sense for your lifestyle and preferences. If you enjoy going to the gym, then go! If dancing or yoga is more your speed, then try those out! Just remember that whatever method works best for you is what will keep you motivated over time–so don’t be afraid of trying new things!
Enjoy the process
The most important thing to enjoy is the process. The end result is just that, an end result. It’s not something you can hold onto and cherish forever. But the journey of getting there? That’s something worth cherishing.
There are many different ways of motivating yourself to exercise. The most important thing is to find something that works for you and stick with it!
Set a goal. Make sure it is measurable. Track your progress. Find a friend that shares your interest and be consistent with the plan! Discipline will always beat motivation. Without discipline to stay the course, motivation will only take you so far. If you need help finding a plan, don’t hesitate to call us!
