Every year, I hear people making resolutions. Often, these resolutions are changes to their diet and lifestyle. I always find myself impressed when I see people follow through with what they planned. Much to my disappointment, though, nobody tends to keep it up for more than a few months.
You won’t often hear this, but deciding to be fitter, leaner, and stronger is the easy part. The challenging part is putting the work in day-in and day-out for an indeterminate length of time. For most people, it comes right down to motivation.
It doesn’t matter if you’re starting your fitness journey for the first time, nor does it matter if you’ve been in the game for years. Motivation can be a limiting factor when it comes to both meal prepping and going to the gym to get a workout in.
Mustering the required motivation for fitness can be tough at times. Luckily, this guide is here to get you through those days when you don’t feel like hitting the pavement or the turf.
Read on to learn more about how you can find motivation for fitness and sustain it!
Determine Your “Why”
They say that every journey begins with the first step. For me, every journey begins with answering why you are making it in the first place. The same is true for fitness.
A fundamental step to staying on track with your fitness goals is to remind yourself of why you embarked on your fitness journey. The constant reminder of your purpose not only reinforces every effort you have already made but also adds a sense of urgency to the goal.
The purpose for why you started can be valuable in seeing you meet your goal in the end. There’s a nifty quote for you.
Have “Smaller” Daily Goals
Some goals are big in the sense that they are very noticeable. Some examples are losing six inches on the waist or running a sub-five-minute mile.
While I see nothing wrong with having goals, not measuring the small improvements you make can leave you demotivated. This is especially true if you have not met any big goals.
The key to sustaining your motivation for fitness daily is to have and meet smaller goals. These are goals that can be met within a day. These can also have a compounding effect towards meeting bigger goals.
Here’s an example:
If you want to lose six inches, you’ll have to commit to exercise and healthy eating for about four months. To stay on track, focus on smaller immediate goals like preparing one healthy meal and doing 25 minutes of cardio for the day.
Doing this will give you the momentum you need as you meet one small goal after another. And, of course, momentum equals motivation for days.
Get Someone To Hold You Accountable
According to Web MD, having people who are aware of your goals can make you more accountable. The more accountable you are to meeting a certain outcome, the more motivated you might be.
Motivation is tough alone. That’s why I recommend having an accountability buddy. An accountability buddy is a person who reminds you about your health and fitness goals. This person also ensures that you do what you can to meet them.
Your accountability buddy can be a friend, relative, or anyone in the gym with whom you share the same goals.
Pick Something Fun
Doing something you enjoy will have you returning to it more — whatever it is. So, when choosing an exercise program, go with something that you think is fun. A good place to start would be to play a sport that you had fun playing in the past.
The same is true when it comes to your diet. Sure, there is nothing wrong with eating brown rice, chicken breasts, and broccoli for a whole year. However, you can still eat healthily and enjoy it.
Pick whole foods like meats, fruits, vegetables, and carbohydrate sources you love. This way, dieting will not seem like dieting. And, you will stick to it longer.
Rekindle Your Motivation for Fitness and Sustain It!
By following these four easy tips on fitness motivation, you will be on your way to a healthier and fitter you. Not only will you be more eager to hit the gym but you will also be eager to do so for a long time.
Follow these simple tips and tricks, and motivation ruts will be a thing of the past!
Sources:
https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/features/exercise-motivation#2
