How to Get Motivated
For anyone starting a new health and fitness journey, it can be hard to find and maintain the motivation to start working out. Motivation often comes in waves. Sometimes there will be days when you can’t wait to start your workout and other days you will simply not want to move.
It can be easy to get discouraged about exercising if you don’t enjoy it. Also, when you are busy or tired, you might feel more like sitting on the couch than working out. Finding the time and energy to dedicate to exercise can be a challenge. Often we struggle with fluctuating levels of motivation. When your fitness motivation is high, use this momentum to set healthy fitness goals. Plan how you will achieve those results. Once you have a plan in place, motivation isn’t as important.
Here are some tips to help you feel motivated and actually have fun exercising!
Barriers
When you can name the things that are holding you back, you can face them head on so that they don’t seem as bad. Then come up with ways to overcome these barriers. Find ways to tackle your fears and develop the confidence you need to get started. By gradually changing the thoughts and behaviors that are stopping you from living the life that you want, you can move towards a more powerful, confident version of yourself. With the right mindset, fitness can help with self-confidence and the ability to accomplish new goals.
Home Workouts
You can’t always get out to a park or gym for your workout but you can still workout at home, even if you only have a small space. When you prioritize your health by moving your body every day, you’ll feel healthier and stronger. As you begin to see and feel the rewards of consistent exercise, you’ll naturally become more motivated to continue.
Discipline
Making any change to your lifestyle or training schedule requires discipline and willpower. You can use discipline to achieve your fitness goals by removing distractions, planning ahead and giving your body the energy it needs for your training through good nutrition.
Workouts you Enjoy
Working out should never be a chore or punishment. Make it into something you love and that you do for yourself. Choose the workouts that make you feel good while doing it. Exercise should be fun! That's why I have created many types of workouts, so you can find the one that makes you feel happy!
Keep it Short
If you can’t get motivated to spend an hour working out, just commit to 15 minutes. Doing short workouts has great health benefits. You might even surprise yourself and find that once you get started you want to do more. Just 15 minutes of exercise, when done regularly, can boost your brainpower, improve your mood and increase cardiovascular endurance. Plus, by doing short-duration exercise regularly you are establishing a habit of exercising. When you are ready to increase the duration or intensity of your workouts, both your body and mind will be up to the task.
Create Routines
When you make something a part of your daily routine, it’s much easier to get it done. For example, you wouldn’t leave the house in the morning without brushing your teeth. If you see your workout as part of your morning routine, it can become a natural part of your day and won’t seem like such a huge effort. You can commit to doing your workout by setting out your workout clothes and everything you need for a successful workout the night before. That way, when you wake up it’s easier to get moving and you don’t have time to think about it too much. Another tip is to do those hard things first, which means getting your workout done before the day gets too busy.
Set SMART Goals
When you set yourself a smart goal, you are more likely to achieve it. Goals ensure that you can focus your energy to achieve a specific, achievable result. When you achieve this goal, you’ll be more motivated to set the next goal. If you’ve set goals in the past, but you haven’t reached them, it does not mean that you have failed. Take a moment to adjust your mindset and make sure that your goal is something that you can achieve.
Consistency
You don’t build strength overnight. It takes repeated effort, rest and time to build fitness and strength. If you are consistent with your workouts, rest, and nutrition you can start to see results.
Accountability Partner
You are bound to have lots of questions in your first few months of a routine and that is normal when you try something new. Find a workout buddy who can be your mentor and share the journey with you. You can also educate yourself on what to eat, when to workout and how to do specific exercises.
Fitness Community
Joining in a like-minded community helps you to feel like you’re part of something bigger and connect with people who are facing the same challenges and working towards the same goals that you are. It allows you to reach others that are also overcoming their obstacles and can provide support and help motivate each other on the journey to better health and fitness. Exchanging words of encouragement and support can help you to feel less alone when you are next pushing through the last five minutes of your workout, because you know there are others out there doing exactly the same thing. So if you haven't yet, join our private facebook group and be part of our wonderful community.
Just Get Started!
These ideas are to help you to get motivated, set your intention and create a plan to exercise regularly. It takes commitment and dedication to create a regular workout routine, but the benefits are worth it. Remember, the first few weeks of a new fitness journey are likely to be the hardest! Be patient with yourself and make small, sustainable changes as you actively commit to improving your health and fitness. The benefits will be worth it!
