Are you finding it tough to find health and fitness motivation to achieve your fitness goals? It’s easy to become demotivated, especially when winter sets in and we’re all hidden under layers of clothes.
Don’t worry though – by arming yourself with some clear weapons, you can blast through any barrier to success!
Even the most athletic people have periods when they cannot stay motivated. There’s a lot of other stuff going on in life; work pressure, family obligations, socializing, etc.
So read on for all the inspiration you need to achieve your dream physique. Let’s go!
What you will learn
How do I convince myself to workout
It can be difficult to find the motivation to workout, especially if you are not used to a routine of physical activity. However, there are a few things that you can do to make it easier to convince yourself to go to the gym for an exercise session.
Believe that regular exercise or physical activity is a basic need as food.
That is the fundamental thought – belief – attitude.
The National Institute of Health (NIH) in the US points out that “regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health”.
According to the American College of Sports Medicine, “…Regular exercise/activity may help you: Contain your weight, lower your chance of heart disease, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome, lesser your risk of several cancers, increase your bone and muscle strength, boost your mental health and mood.”
In other words, if you don’t believe that regular exercise or physical activity is a basic need as food, think again! Taking care of our body by keeping it active is one of the best things you can do for your overall health and well being.
Only when we focus on that direction, we can build upon that and follow any other advice. And this is the reason most people fall. They deny considering exercise as a valuable asset in their life.
What to do next after that?
Even if you build the previous attitude, you should wonder how you can jump to an exercise and fitness program. Instead of engaging in useless self-talk that never helps, try utilizing these interesting techniques to get a little inspiration when you’re starting your workouts.
Start the exercise with Just 10 Minutes
Getting motivated to exercise may be as simple as claiming you have only ten minutes on it. You’re more likely to want to continue once you start moving!
Make Your Workouts flexible
When you just don’t have the time for an entire hour-long exercise, it might be difficult. Instead of attempting to cram an hour-long activity into your day, break it down into smaller parts.
For example, this could be a 20-minute first thing in a morning run or walking before you start your day, a 10-minute high intensity interval training (HIIT) workout early in the afternoon, and a 10-minute Yoga routine to complete your day.
Make it Social and Call a Friend
According to studies, working out with a buddy increases the frequency of exercise.
Having someone to work out with can provide extrinsic motivation – external rewards that help to motivate us to do something. A workout buddy can also make exercise more fun. And finally, a workout buddy can provide support, both emotionally and physically.
So, a friend can support you to be motivated and stick to exercise and your fitness plans, in general.
How do I not hate working out?
A lot of people hate working out, but it doesn’t have to be that way. There are a few things you can do to make exercise more bearable, and even enjoyable.
First, focus on the intrinsic motivation for why you’re exercising. Maybe you want to be healthier, have more energy, or improve your self-esteem. Whatever the reason, keep it in mind when you’re struggling to get through a workout.
Second, exercise with someone who has a similar goal to yours. This will help you to be accountable and stay motivated.
Finally, make sure you’re exercising in a way that feels good to you. If you hate running, don’t force yourself to do it just because someone told you it’s the best exercise. Find an activity that you enjoy and stick with it. Working out doesn’t have to be a chore–with the right attitude, it can be something you look forward to every day.
What are 7 motivators for exercise routine?
There are well-proven factors for health and fitness motivation that can help you stay on track for doing workouts.
Changing your mindset: exercise is a need equal to food.
A common sign of this motivator is feeling like exercise is a daily routine that must be completed, similar to eating, sleeping, taking a shower, or brushing one’s teeth in the morning. This mentality of self determination can be seen usually in athletes who exercise for several hours a day, even when they’re not feeling their best.
That mentality should be cultivated in all people if they want to see high levels of health and fitness motivation
train your resistance to temptations
It can be tempting to skip a session when you’re feeling low on energy, or to indulge in unhealthy foods that offer a quick boost of dopamine. However, research has shown that resisting temptations can help to increase your motivation to exercise.
One study found that participants who were able to resist the temptation to eat unhealthy snacks during their workout time had higher levels of energy and were more likely to stick to their fitness goals. In addition, they also felt more positive about their health overall. So, if you’re struggling to find the motivation to exercise, try resisting temptation and see if it makes a difference.
Make things simple
The most common reason for not exercising is that there isn’t enough time. As a result, the most powerful incentive is to make things as easy and painless as possible. If you don’t have enough time during the day, split up your workouts into smaller pieces.
20 to 30 minutes per day of moderate-to-intense activity will more than sufficient to fulfill the minimal requirements for physical activity set forth by the American Heart Association (AHA).
For training, you don’t need to go to the gym. Bodyweight training is much more efficient and can be done at home. You don’t need weight lifting or cardio equipment to have a great workout. After all, resistance training can be achieved extremely well by our body weight
Search exercise science
Another popular motivator for exercise is the science behind it. When people understand how exercise can impact their bodies in positive ways, they’re more likely to be motivated to make it part of their daily routine. For example, knowing that exercise can improve heart health or help to manage weight can be a powerful motivator for many people.
Making exercise Fun
Some people are motivated to exercise by the simple joy of movement. Feeling the endorphins rush through the body after a good workout can be addictive, and many people find that they look forward to their next exercise session as a result.
Whatever the motivator, exercise is an important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Set Goals for quality- Not only to lose weight
Without a written or comprehensive game plan, no significant business project can be launched. The same should go for an exercise program.
One of the biggest mistakes that individuals make when starting exercising is not having a specific program with well-defined goals. Starting an exercise program without a clear plan can often lead to frustration and eventually quitting.
Individuals who are looking to start an exercise program should consult with a personal trainer or coach to develop a plan that meets their specific goals. In addition, it is important to set realistic expectations and progress should be monitored every week to ensure that individuals are meeting their physical activity guidelines and keep alive their exercise motivation.
By taking these steps, individuals will be more likely to stick with their exercise program and see long-term results.
Get competitive
If you want to increase your motivation to exercise, it is important to get competitive. According to recent peer-reviewed studies, exercises that have an element of competition and self determination tend to be more motivating than those that don’t.
In one study, participants were divided into two groups: one that completed exercises intending to best their previous performance, and one that did exercises without any specific goal in mind. The results showed that the group with the competitive goal was more motivated to exercise and saw greater improvements in their fitness levels.
So if you’re looking for a way to get yourself moving, try adding a competitive element to your exercises. It could be as simple as challenging yourself to run a certain distance in a certain time or trying to beat your personal best on the number of sit-ups you can do in a minute. By making competition part of your exercise routine, you’ll not only increase your motivation but also improve your overall fitness.
Conclusion
The science of exercise may be complex, but the principles for getting started and motivate yourself are simple. By making small changes to your mindset and taking advantage of modern technology, you can make it easy to get moving and stick with your fitness routine.
With a little bit of effort, you can find ways to make working out fun and rewarding, so that you feel good about yourself both physically and mentally. Setting goals for quality rather than quantity can also be helpful when working towards a healthier lifestyle.
Like minded people, try to make your life simple. And there is no simpler way than training your mind to increase your motivation.
Have you tried any of these methods? Let us know how they worked out for you!
