Happy New Year!
It's that time again...the time when we make our resolutions to get healthy, fit, etc. We start off with big goals and motivation, but most of us have trouble sticking with those resolutions throughout the year.
Here are three tips that have helped me stay motivated to stick with my fitness goals:
1. Find an exercise you love. You know the saying, the best type of exercise is the one you'll do? It's true, because the only way you're going to stick with it is if you love your workout for its own sake, not just because of the results you get from it (although hopefully you will like the results, too). If you enjoy it, then the exercise itself becomes your motivation. Otherwise, you will keep putting it off, making excuses to avoid it. Or you will be motivated for a while and jump in all gung-ho, and even stay on track for a while, but then when life happens as it inevitably does, you will eventually lose your momentum and maybe even stop altogether. (I've been there.) But if you look forward to the exercise activity as something fun that you enjoy, and the fact that it makes you feel great and is keeping you in shape is more like an added bonus, then you won't want to skip your workout.
If you can't think of an exercise activity that you would enjoy, try something new. Keep trying new things until you find one that's right for you. Also, think outside the box. Maybe you don't like running or lifting weights or yoga, but Flamenco dancing or fencing might be your thing. Keep an open mind. :)
2. Accountability. It is more fun and motivating to exercise with other people. I feel like when I try to do an exercise by myself at home, it feels 10 times harder than it does when I do it with other people. Maybe that's just me, but really, when you are by yourself it is much easier to not put as much effort into your workout if you're feeling tired or lazy or had a hard day. It is harder to be laid back when in a group, especially if there is an instructor keeping an eye on you. In a group or class you can motivate and encourage each other to keep up and reach your goals. Or you can compete with each other, if that's what motivates you...either way, you challenge yourself more in a group, and yet it seems less tiring because the camaraderie makes up for the extra effort. You can help each other stay on target and have someone to keep up with so you don't slack.
3. Investment. Join a gym, fitness club, or sign up for some classes that you pay for by the month. If you are paying money to exercise, you will make time to do it more frequently and be less likely to skip when you don't feel like it, since you will want to get your money's worth. You are not paying the gym so that you can stay home, so you will make the effort to not miss the workout you are paying for. Normally I am a "save money, DIY" kind of girl, but this is one exception for me at least...unless you are a self-motivated superhuman who actually does exercise properly at home, this is one way to stay motivated to exercise.
BONUS TIP: When you don't feel like exercising, remember your reasons for wanting to stay in shape. You want to be healthy and strong. You want to feel proud of your body. You want to still be fit and healthy when you are old. You've got this.
"Those who think they have not time for bodily exercise will sooner or later have to find time for illness."Happy Exercising!
Edward Stanley
Shelby
