Getting and staying motivated to stay the course with your fitness routine is difficult. Life is filled with distractions — and excuses — about why you should skip your workout today. But with a little time management and encouragement, you can be on your way to the gym right now. Read on to learn about four tips for kick-starting your fitness motivation.
1. Eat Your Veggies
Veggies aren’t just a side dish. So they shouldn’t be an afterthought in meal planning. Why? Because vegetables are the cornerstone of a complete diet and the first step in starting a healthy lifestyle. Veggies offer a variety of vitamins and minerals as well as fiber for gut health. Fiber helps with digestive problems, such as constipation, and it can even reduce the chances of developing bowel cancer. According to the Harvard school of public health, eating veggies can reduce the risk of stroke, heart disease, and other types of cancer too.
Vegetables come in a variety of flavors and textures, making it possible to find ones to pair with any dish. If you are having trouble fitting enough in your daily meals, try adding super greens powder to your meal rotation. These convenient supplements offer a concentrated blend of nutrients extracted from various greens, making it easier to meet your daily requirements. Whether blended into smoothies or mixed with water, it provides a quick way to boost your veggie intake.
Veggies offer more than improved well-being. They also provide a boost of energy. Being tired is a good excuse to skip your workout. When you start to feel worn down, chomp on some carrots dipped in low-fat ranch dressing. Or make yourself a salad with kale and spinach for lunch. These vegetable servings will help you wake up and feel energized, allowing you to hop onto that treadmill or lift weights.
2. Find Your Incentive
Many people start to exercise because they’re unhappy with their looks. They want to be thinner. They want to bulk up. They want six-pack abs. But sometimes working out for your own benefit is not enough to provide motivation. Sometimes, it takes an outside source such as living longer for your family or being an example for your children.
Finding a purpose beyond yourself can make you even more committed to fitness. You might dedicate your workouts to a cause you’re passionate about or compete in events to raise awareness or funds. Join the Push-Up Challenge to raise awareness for mental health or the Revolution Ride to raise funds for Parkinson’s Disease. Connecting fitness to something larger than yourself can add importance, motivating you to push yourself.
What is your incentive? Take some time and reflect on what truly inspires you and then adjust your fitness goals to match. Whatever it is, having a clear incentive can provide the necessary push to overcome obstacles and stick to your goals. When you hit a plateau — which happens to everyone — revisit your “why” to motivate yourself again.
3. Get a Workout Buddy
You may lose motivation for your fitness journey simply because you’re trying to do it on your own. Having a workout buddy by your side can make all the difference. Your buddy can be a friend, family member, or even your pet.
Your workout buddy can keep you accountable to your goals, provide encouragement during challenging workouts, and make exercising more enjoyable. You’re likely to build a stronger friendship, where you support each other through life’s challenges. You can support each other with various aspects of your fitness journey. From workouts to meal prep, having someone by your side can be a motivator.
Perhaps you don’t have anyone who can be a workout buddy. No worries. Technology has made it easier than ever to connect with others who share your interests. Join online fitness communities or participate in virtual workout challenges through social media groups or fitness apps. This allows you to find support and accountability from the comfort of your own home. You can also reach out to community groups. Joining a class at the gym or volunteering to walk dogs at your local animal shelter can be fun ways to stay active too.
4. Create a Schedule and Goals
Setting a structured workout schedule with clear goals is a necessary part of a successful fitness journey. Start by defining specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals that are in line with your fitness aspirations. Regardless of what your end goal is — to lose weight, build muscle, improve endurance, or enhance overall health — it’s wise to set SMART goals to get there. Small actionable steps are more manageable and increase the likelihood of your success.
Once you’ve determined your goals, it’s time to map out a workout schedule. Choose a time and place that’s convenient for you. Maybe early mornings are an untapped time where you’ll feel awake and ready to workout. Or maybe you’d rather spend part of your lunch break going for a quick run. Then again, you may feel most productive in the evenings when the rest of your day is under your belt. Regardless of when you choose, put your workout on your calendar and treat it like an important appointment.
That said, life is unpredictable, and something may come up that disrupts your plans. Instead of assuming that you won’t be able to work out, adapt your schedule to fit fitness elsewhere in your day. Overslept? Take the dog for a run after dinner. Lunch meeting? Head to the gym before going home in the evening. You can be flexible with your workout schedule as long as you’re consistent.
Regaining Motivation
Staying motivated to continue your fitness routine is not always easy, but with the right strategies, you can overcome challenges. Be patient with yourself, celebrate little successes, and embrace the process of growth and self-improvement. With dedication and a positive mindset, you can achieve your fitness goals and live a healthier, happier life. So, step back into your exercise routine and find the motivation to be a fitter, stronger, and more vibrant you. Your future self will thank you for it.
