In the beginning, you’re always so hyped up and you’re sure that, this time, you’ll work out regularly and that there’s no way you’ll lose that initial enthusiasm. And then you realize it’s not always that easy to exercise. With so many other things you have to do throughout the day, it’s not uncommon to feel too tired or overwhelmed by the time you’re done with all of it and just skip your workout session.
You do this once, then twice, and, all of a sudden, you’ve gone a whole week or even two without any real physical activity. If this is a pretty accurate depiction of your situation, then perhaps you merely need more motivation. Fortunately, there are some uncomplicated ways to remain motivated for as long as you need to make exercising an integral part of your lifestyle.
Set Attainable Goals
When you set your goals too high, there’s a good chance you won’t be able to achieve them, at least not in the foreseeable future, which can discourage you and prompt you to give up more easily. You can avoid this if you set goals that you can accomplish within a reasonable time period. For instance, instead of deciding to lose a third of your weight within a year, aim for losing 5% of it within the next two weeks. That way, when you do reach your goal, you’ll be determined to keep up your good work.
Similarly, if you’re trying to train for a large competition, set smaller goals for each week, push yourself harder every time and monitor your progress, so that it’s an incentive for you to exercise further.
Reward Yourself
When you’re done with your session for the day, and when you’re high on that good feeling that you get from physical exercise, it’s perfectly acceptable for you to cherish and celebrate that good mood. Furthermore, there’s nothing stopping you from rewarding yourself when you’ve reached a goal you set for yourself.
These rewards can be internal, meaning that you simply lean back and praise yourself, but they can also be external. If you opt for rewarding yourself with something material, make it count and opt for something that will be an additional motivator for you. For instance, investing in top-quality leggings you’ll look hot in is bound to make you happy and give you the confidence and the persistence you need to continue working out.
When buying such workout clothes, opt for companies that cater to all shapes and sizes and that have leggings in a variety of colours, so that you can find something you’ll look forward to wearing each time.
Find Company
Some people like working out on their own, but for the majority of us, some companies would mean the world. Aside from the fact that it will probably be more fun to exercise with another person, it’s also a strong enticement for you to show up and do your work daily.
Another person or a whole tribe would mean that other people count on you to be there, but also that you’ll have someone to support you when things get tough and you feel like quitting. Their presence might be the difference between pulling the plug on your plan to work out steadily and finding the determination to continue, day after day.
If you think you would benefit from such a company, talk to some of your friends, colleagues or family members and ask them to join you when you work out. If none of them is interested, look for a gym with a group fitness program or look online for likeminded people who’ll be happy to exercise with you.
Have Some Fun
If something works for other people, it doesn’t at all mean it will work for you. The type of exercise you select for yourself matters greatly since you’ll be less likely to give up if you engage in physical activity that you actually enjoy.
First of all, you should know that you have plenty of options. For example, some people prefer to exercise indoors, others like to stay outside as much as possible; some like working out on different gym machines and others like stretching exercises; some like working out at home, on their own, while others need a personal trainer for optimum results.
Second, you should give yourself time to try out various activities, as a form of research, so that you can learn what your preference is. There is a wide range of alternatives out there for you, from team sports, such as soccer, basketball or volleyball, to dancing classes, yoga, Zumba and some other, unusual workouts, so look into them, do some experimenting and find what suits you most.
If you lack the motivation to exercise and are too quick to give up, maybe some good advice is all that’s necessary for you to follow your workout regimen all the way through. Keep these amazing tips in mind and they might just put you on the right track towards success.