Motivation is very much needed when it comes to fitness. Don’t get it twisted, even those who workout for a living need a fire lit under their bum to even start their workout. We’ve already given you 86 Ways to Motivate Yourself to Work Out, but 20 more ways can’t hurt.
With these extra tips you should have plenty of ways to push through those rough days when your momentum is low and you’re feeling sluggish.
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Friends
Get a friend to go with you on your run or to the new tai chi class you are dying to try. Share your goals with your friend(s). Motivate and challenge each other to reach new heights.
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Buy new workout shoes
Yes! Another excuse to go shopping. Who doesn’t like new shoes? Buying a new pair of shoes that are comfortable and fit your style will help give you that extra push you need to get moving.
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Make specific high/low range goals
If you don’t plan to succeed, you plan to fail. Set goals that you can hit without stressing yourself out and doesn’t take a long time to achieve. When you do create these goals be as specific as possible. Also set a goal that is a wee bit challenging; one that might take a few weeks to achieve.
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Personal Trainer
If you can’t push yourself to get your workouts in and done there are plenty of professionals that will be more than happy to help you out with the push.
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Reward yourself
When you give yourself a reward for consistently running the days you had set, or eating clean for a week then celebrate. No matter how small the goal is, reward yourself. It will make you feel good when you do. However just try not to treat yourself with food, that would defeat the purpose of all your hard work.
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Fitness Band
Fitness bands like Nike+ Fuelband, Fitbit and Jawbone are very trendy this year. They make it easy to track your progress and let you connect with people all over the world to help keep you motivated and do fun challenges with others.
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Fitness Challenges
Speaking of challenges, join a fitness challenge. There are always push-up, burpee, or some kind of challenge floating around social networks. Try one they will only make you better.
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Do AM Workouts
Have you heard the saying, “You should workout before your mind catches up to what you are doing”? Enough said.
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Measure inches
It’s so exciting to put on a pair of jeans that you didn’t have to lay on the bed squeezing and wiggling your way into them. Instead of jumping on the scale only to see the same number constantly put on clothes and feel how lose they fit. Besides inches tend to drop faster than the number on the scale.
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K.I.S.S.
Keep, it, simple, stupid. I’m not literally calling you stupid – it’s a term Marketers use in their marketing strategies. It really means keep things simple, don’t make your workout and or routine complicated. If your gym is too far, the routine is too challenging or requires a ton of equipment you will eventually lose the motivation you had to get things done.
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Make it a habit
No excuses make your workout habitual. You brush your teeth everyday – I hope. So treat your workouts just as you do your hygiene. You will feel dirty or off when you don’t implement some type of movement within your day. Other than the walking you do at work.
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Remember the end goal
If you need to post a picture, motivational quote or post card of your next trip everywhere in your house then do so. Seeing these things will keep it in the front of your mind. There is a lot going on within the day. It’s hard to lose sight of what you set out to do. Out of sight out of mind.
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Step away from the scale!
You can’t accurately measure your weight with your home scale. It doesn’t measure your intracellular water weight, which is the measurement of water within your cells. It also doesn’t measure your muscle mass. Fat doesn’t weigh more than muscle, but you have to know that muscle is denser than fat. With that being said, the fat you burn could be replaced by muscle which sometimes will not make you drop a pound on the scale. But you will feel lighter and look leaner and toned.
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Tell your family
Family can be very supportive…if you let them. Let them in on the goals you have. They will not forget about what your goal(s) are and keep reminding them to you. Or point it out when you don’t work out.
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Remix your routine
Don’t you hate when someone repeats the same story to you over and over and over? Well you should have that same attitude towards a redundant workout routine. You’ll get bored and eventually not want to do it. When you constantly do the same old thing, you are not gaining anything. You might in fact plateau. Mix it up, make it fun, add some challenge and see change.
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HIIT
HIIT stands for high intensity interval training. This type of training is popular this year. It takes 30-45 minutes. Have several workouts you quickly rotate through with little to no rest. It also forces you to pick up the intensity. HIIT training is fun and hardly ever boring.
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Try new recipes
Assuming you are eating healthy, if you are getting bored with your routine your meals might be the same way. Make a goal to workout then cook yourself a new healthy delicious meal full of flavor. Pinterest, and Instagram are perfect places to get new delicious healthy recipes.
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Stand in the mirror naked
This is something that many of us try to avoid at all costs. But you can’t put off the inevitable. Stand in the mirror – don’t point out flaws, but instead point out parts you like. And remember if you remain idle and live unhealthy those parts you love will…drop. Thank gravity for that. Try to appreciate your body, curves, scares, dimples and all. They make you YOU.
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Go Social
So many people have been using social networks like Facebook ,Twitter and Instagram to stay in shape. Fitness enthusiasts, CrossFit junkies and even personal trainers themselves share so much information online. You can’t help to be flooded with motivation.
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Join a team
Competition is so healthy. Most people do not like to lose, especially if they are on a team. If you join an organized team like, beach volleyball, tennis, or soccer you are more likely to stay motivated to stay moving. It’s fun when being a part of a team, and you have some type of consistency.
Teena Cathey is a certified personal trainer who focuses on endurance and energy training. She runs two group fitness boot camp classes called Go Harder in Detroit, MI. Teena is author of the free ebook, How to Find The Right Personal Trainer. When not with clients Teena enjoys painting, playing basketball or with her dog Mister. She’s very social, follow her on... Read More
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