Great, you've learned about exercise and proper nutrition, you're convinced about the positive effects, so how do you keep motivated? Staying motivated is one of the biggest problems that arises for both new and experienced fitness persons. Use the following points to help you achieve your goals.
Set Achieveable Goals Even if you do want to look like Arnold, start with a more reasonable and achievable goal. At first start with a goal that you know you can meet. Set a series of short term goals and one long term goal. Make sure that the short term goals can lead to the long term goal. Be realistic! Make each short term goal achievable and feel good about it. Then move on to the next short term goal. Give yourself a small reward each time that you reach your goals.
Don't Feel Guilty So you missed one workout... Okay, maybe it was a week's worth, STOP feeling guilty or stressed out! Relax and don't be hard on yourself, just back up one paragraph and Start Today, then read the following paragraph.
Visualize Your Success On days when you find it hard to start your program, imagine how you look and/or feel on achieving your next goal. Picture yourself having made that achievement and then get to work. Alternatively visualize how you may look if you don't keep up the good work.
Do Something Every little activity helps!!! Going to the gym three times rather than twice a week is 50 % more... Add that to walking around the office a bit more, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, park a little bit farther away, etc. All these "little" activities" will help you reach your long term goal. If you can't workout three times a week, then set a goal to do it only once or twice, achieve that goal and feel good about it. Then, try to increase it a little more.... One small step at a time....
Monitor Your Progress Keep a daily diary or log of your activities and progress. This will not only show a record of your success, but also serve as a reminder of all your efforts so far, don't let them go to waste!!!
Review Your Priorities Take time out to look at your daily activities and priorities. Are they what you want? Is improved quality of life one of them? How badly do you want or need them? Try to find a balance in your life...
Workout With a Partner There is nothing like having some peer pressure to help keep you going! Find someone who is fun to be with and has his/her own fitness goals. Together you can enjoy some quality time and help motivate each other. Someone who is fitter than yourself will generally be more motivational as you will try to keep up with him/her. Likewise, somebody who is not as fit as you, will give you a chance to excel, as you know that the other person will try to keep up with you.
Watch TV or Video: Watch the news, your favorite soaps, sports, etc. to help pass the time and make even more efficient use of it while training.
Create Variety In Your Program Something about the spice of life...it's true! Variety in your fitness program not only keeps it interesting and fun, but also stresses different muscles giving you a more rounded workout. If you walk around the block each day, try going the other way or simply on the other side of the street. Each workout will feel like a brand new one!
Play Your Favorite Music Listening to music while you workout can help keep exercises interesting, relaxing and fun. Music is a great motivational tool in itself. There's nothing like a great song to get you moving! If you don't like the music they play at your gym, buy a personal stereo and play your own music at your own volume.
Practice Positive Self Thinking Your exercise time is time for you. You should not feel guilty for taking time for yourself! If you want to be around a while longer to take care of your family and the important people in your life, then take an hour or so a day for yourself! It will keep you sane! Double the benefit and use that time to strengthen your psyche as well as your muscles. Think about your strong personal attributes, how they have helped you in the past and how they will help you in the future. A healthy mind helps you achieve a healthy body.
Use Equipment That's Easy to Use There's nothing harder than uncomfortable, ugly, poorly maintained equipment to hinder your motivation. Invest in the equipment that is best for you, and make sure that it's easy to use. When going to the store, wear your workout clothes and give the equipment a good try out before you buy it. Don't clog out the garage and/or basement with uncomfortable bikes and rowers. Locate the equipment somewhere in the house that is nice to be and make sure you keep it clean, accessible, and in good working order.
Get Some Focus Reminders Place a special picture, note or object where it will serve as a reminder of your promise and commitment to get and stay fit for living. A photograph of your family, a photo of how you used to look, good or bad, whatever makes you work and keeps you motivated.
Don't Push Too Hard and Stay Hydrated Unless you're training for some athletic activity or competition, don't work yourself harder than necessary. If it hurts or if it's even uncomfortable then stop and do something different. Proper exercise does not require pain. Keep a water bottle handy, and take regular intakes of fluid. A dehydrated body cannot function properly...
Problem Solve Try using this time to solve some problems that you may have encountered at work or at home. Sometimes the change in scenery will help you find an answer that previously escaped you. Take your phone out with you from the office, and walk around the block.
Dress Comfortably Don't worry so much about how you look, but more about how you feel. Dress in loose fitting, comfortable clothes that are made for working out. If you decide to wear a sweat suit, keep shorts and a T-shirt underneath, so you can take the sweat suit off when you get hot.
Get Support From Friends and Family People who care about you will help support your goals. Tell people what you are doing and you will see that the more people who know, the more support you will get.
Do a Class With a number of various classes around you can easily find one suited to your own fitness requirements. Make sure that the instructor is qualified, and before the class starts, tell the instructor that you are new, so that he/she can monitor you.
Wear Comfy Shoes Take care of your feet. Wear comfortable shoes that can breathe and offer support. You should consider a special pair of shoes you've set aside just for exercising. If you are a runner, or are involved in high impact exercises, it is worth it to spend a little money on a good pair of shoes with the proper support. The proper shoes will keep your feet, knees and hips injury free! Wearing sports socks will also reduce the risk of blisters.
Workout on a Set Schedule You get up, you dress, you eat, you work, etc. Make sure that you make time for your exercise program! This is part of your other basic necessities. Manage the 168 hours well each week and it will be easy to fit in some quality training and exercise time. Your life depends on it!
Pick a Role Model Aim to achieve the fitness body and/or state of mind of your favorite role model, you may not achieve the same body as them, but at least you will improve your own and your mental status will also improve!
Start Today: RIGHT NOW! Write down a list on a piece of paper, all the reasons you have for not being able to do any form of exercise. Using the same list, overcome all of these reasons to find out if it is only yourself that is preventing you from a healthier lifestyle.
Congratulations! If you're reading this, then you must have read all the motivational tips. Pick the ones you like, making use of them and enjoying a fitter and healthier life.
The Fitness Edge is here to help you and make sure you stay on track! Get Fit and Stay Fit!
