4 Tips To Finding Fitness Motivation
(And Keeping it!)
Staying motivated is the number one reason people fall off track with their fitness goals, and the problem is not that everyone sucks at finding a reason to get back in shape. The problem is that everyone sucks at finding a good reason to get back in shape, or make that lifestyle change, or lose those last 5 pounds.
If you’re serious about making some life changes, you’re gonna need a serious reason (or a few) to make those changes real. I mean, we’re talking about a life change here. This is bigger than appearance: it’s about your spirit and your mind. Here’s how to find real motivation that lasts in order to reach your fitness goals.
1. Get real with yourself.
Stop skimming the surface of things you know go deeper but are afraid to address. Instead of saying, “I just want to be skinny,” ask yourself why. If all you can come up with is that you want to look good, you need to dig deeper, because looking good or being “skinny” does not address the real issues you might be having with yourself. You need to ask yourself why you really want this, and you need to answer honestly. The more real and honest you are willing to be with yourself, the more likely you are to stay motivated and stick it out during times of temptation. So get real, and get going!
2. Get outside of your body.
Quit putting all your ideas of health and fitness in a physical category and start to see this as a mental journey. Instead of making this all about improving your physical body, incorporate mental aspects into these changes, too. Do you want to be more productive? Positive? Improve your relationship(s)? Do you want to start taking more initiative or being more accountable? All of these non-physical things, these habits, are learned in the gym, on the trails, through sweat and showing up consistently to push yourself. I know it, because it happened to me. That’s what this whole thing is about. Get out of your body and into your mind, and find motivating reasons there.
3. Focus on what to DO instead of what NOT to do.
Often, we set goals in a negative fashion like, “Don’t skip a Monday workout,” or “Don’t eat chocolate during the week.” Instead of trying to develop new habits through avoidance of behaviors, set positively stated goals that encourage an action. For example, say things like, “Push further,” “Be strong,” or “Choose good snacks.” Even though these things may seem like they address the same issue, it’s about the mindset you have. Setting out to do something rather than not do something is much more motivating and encouraging. It’s also much easier to go towards something rather than away from something. Not to mention, helps you to see the gym (or wherever you do your sweating) as a place of enjoyment rather than one of punishment, which can psychologically associate reward with that physical activity. (Read more about that here.)
4. Stop settling for mediocrity.
We constantly stay in this place of comfort and feeling “fine” or “good enough,” and that’s sad to the say the least. This big, magnificent life with all the opportunities and potential for change, yet we’re just okay with being “fine?” What about proud? What about “hell yeah?” What about real self-love? It’s not about getting to a place where you flaunt your body and never feel insecure again. It’s about mentally getting to a place where you stop accepting mediocrity, and your health is part of that. Stop. Decide right now that you’re done with mediocrity. You shouldn’t be fine with being fine. Be great. Be the best you you can be. Nothing less.
A house can’t stand on shaky ground, and this is precisely why a strong sense of motivation is necessary if you want to build a house and not just pitch a tent. Once you establish a solid foundation, you can build from there.
