Whether you’ve gained a few pounds, you need an energy boost, or you’re worried about how healthy you’ll be in 30 years, the solution to your problems is physical exercise. And now that you’re aware of that, all you need is some motivation to get started and not to quit when it gets hard. Fear not, as it’s much easier to motivate yourself than you may even thought. Here are some tricks to help you get on your way.
Workout Motivation: 7 Ways to Motivate Yourself to Work Out
Mind what you eat
If you’re feeling exceptionally lazy or lifeless, it’s probably due to your low energy levels, which are often caused by eating considerable amounts of junk food and sugary foods. Furthermore, you can gain excess weight in no time if you don’t pay attention to what you’re eating, which will make it more difficult for you to move. This is why it’s important to switch to a balanced and healthy diet, which will help you feel energized and provide you with all the nutrients your body needs to function properly. It can also improve your mood and give you the motivation to start working out.
Make your goals smaller
If the goals you set yourself are too big and unrealistic, you’ll be discouraged by the amount of time you need to reach them and you’ll be more likely to quit. Instead, you should take that big goal and break it into smaller, more achievable ones.
[bctt tweet=”Exercise motivation tip: Make your goals smaller. Smaller goals are easier to achieve, which in turn helps you stay motivated longer.” username=”thedailyminder”]
For instance, if your goal is to run a marathon, make it your goal to be able to run for half an hour longer each week, and if your goal is to lose a lot of weight, make it your goal to fit into your last year’s jeans within two months. Smaller goals are easier to achieve, which in turn helps you stay motivated longer.
Get some stylish workout gear
If you love wearing nice clothes, you’ll probably want nice workout gear, too. However, with workout clothes, you need to make sure they’re comfortable as well so that you can move any way you need to. The perfect combination of cute, sexy, and cozy is modern compression clothing for your daily exercise. These compression garments are lightweight and they allow unrestricted movement and protect your muscles from soreness or muscle strain. Wearing the right exercise clothes will definitely increase your motivation to work out.
Find some company
Working out on your own can be boring, which is why you might find motivation in another person who would like to exercise with you. The fact that somebody is waiting for you and depends on you showing up will make it less likely for you to skip your workout. If you can’t find a partner, get a personal fitness coach to guide you through your exercises and make sure you save your back while lifting weights or you don’t pull a muscle while working out. Finally, if the first two options don’t work for you, look for a group workout you can join, so that you get motivated by a whole group of people.
Create an upbeat playlist
Combining your workout with something else you like, such as your favorite music, can be a great way to motivate yourself. However, when you create your workout playlist, don’t just stick to the songs you love, but choose the ones that have the optimal number of beats per minute. For your warmup, about 90 BPM is enough; for the most intense part of your workout session, choose songs with approximately 160 BPM (try Blondie – ‘One Way or Another’), and listening to songs that have between 120 and 140 BPM is probably the best option for the rest of your workout (‘Turn the Beat Around’ by Gloria Estefan has 130 BPM). Music can help you boost your mood, deal with anxiety and, with the right beat, even motivate you to stay physically active.
Reward yourself
Having something to look forward to after you’ve done your exercise will keep you motivated every time. This is why it’s a good idea to reward yourself for every fitness achievement, even the small ones. You should be careful about the reward you give yourself, though. It shouldn’t be junk food, but rather things like a night out with your friends, a new piece of clothing that you can fit into now that you’ve lost weight, or the ticket to see your favorite band. A spa weekend or a simple massage at the end of a hard day will do fine, too.
Add some variety to your workout
Working out regularly is good for you, but doing the same thing day after day can soon become annoying. That’s why you need to add variety to your workout regime, so that you don’t lose your motivation and quit. Instead of visiting the gym every day, opt for some other activity, or even several activities three or four days a week. Play volleyball with your friends, go swimming at your local swimming pool, or go jogging in the nearby park. Whenever the weather allows it, go for a bike ride, preferably in the countryside, or take your pet and go for a hike. And if none of these are your cup of tea, try tap dancing, aerial yoga or visit a roller disco.
Even when you feel worn out, find the will to get moving. Physical activity will make you healthier, more energetic and you’ll feel better in a heartbeat.
