The hardest part of beginning a fitness routine is simply getting started. It’s easy to find excuses for not exercising.
You may think you’re too busy, too tired, or too stressed to workout. You know you need to be consistent, but may lack the motivation to eat right and exercise on a regular basis.
Getting motivated to lose weight and get in shape can be overwhelming, but you can do it! Here are nine tips for how to motivate yourself to workout.
Find an Exercise You Enjoy
One way to stay motivated is to find one or more exercises you enjoy. If you hate walking on the treadmill, don’t do it.
Try something else. Your fitness routine shouldn’t only be about looking good.
It’s about being healthy and improving your life as a whole. If you feel bored with your standard workout, mix it up and try something new.
There’s a lot to choose from – yoga, Pilates, weight lifting, cycling, swimming, and so much more!
Set Achievable Goals
If you are just getting started with a fitness routine, it’s good to set small, achievable goals. It’s great to have an end goal in mind, but you should allow yourself time to achieve it in small steps.
Whether it’s losing a few pounds, getting to the gym three times a week, or jogging around the block each day, celebrate the small goals you accomplish. If you don’t reach your small goal, don’t give up.
Remind yourself that you are human, and try again.
Think Positive Thoughts
Any workout is better than no workout. If you have a busy week, and only make it to the gym once, don’t beat yourself up over it.
Set a goal to do better next week, and remind yourself why it’s important to make exercise a priority. It’s easy to get discouraged and use it as an excuse to give up.
Think positive thoughts and keep health as your main focus.
Schedule Your Workouts
Being organized helps in all areas of life, including fitness. Adding exercise to your planner can be a motivating tool.
Writing it in your planner or adding it to your digital calendar is a way to remind yourself to exercise. As you plan your week, keep your fitness goals in mind.
Schedule some time to get to the gym, go for a hike, head to the pool, or participate in whatever activity you enjoy. Exercise is a great stress reliever, and you will feel good knowing you made your health a priority in your busy week.
Consider Your Diet
Fitness is not just about exercising. Nutrition plays a critical role in overall health.
If you want to lose weight, you do have to exercise and eat healthy foods. Rather than viewing your journey as a diet, consider it a lifestyle change.
Learn about foods that will nourish your body and help you lose weight at the same time. Lean meats, vegetables, fruit, and plenty of water are all good for you.
It’s all about balance. Think about a few things you can do to improve your diet and take actionable steps to achieve it.
You might choose to stop drinking sugary drinks, throw out the processed foods, or stay out of the fast food drive-through. Of course, you can treat yourself once in a while.
Just remember that every healthy choice you make gets you one step closer to your fitness goal.
Head to the Gym
Sometimes it’s good to get out of your comfort zone and head to the gym. Physically getting yourself to the gym is often the hardest part.
Once you are there, you will feel more motivated to start moving. Seeing other people working out and making their health a priority can be a motivating factor as well.
Don’t let your busy schedule, the weather, the kids, or anything stand in the way of your health. Get up, get ready, and get to the gym.
Consider How You’ll Feel
Exercise releases endorphins and endorphins make you feel happy. Even a small amount of exercise can make you feel energized and ready for the day.
If you exercise late in the day, that’s great too. But it’s easy to skip a late afternoon or evening workout after a long day.
Remember that exercise won’t make your day worse. It will only make it better.
Workout With a Friend
Some people find it difficult to workout alone. They need a little encouragement to get moving.
If this is you, find a friend with similar fitness goals and workout together. Having someone there to remind you to try harder, speed up, or push through may motivate you.
You can encourage each other as you work towards your fitness goals.
Sleep in Your Workout Clothes
It may seem silly to sleep in your workout clothes, but for some, it’s very motivating. Waking up in your gym clothes reminds you to make exercise a priority in the morning.
After you workout, take a warm shower and get ready for the day. You will be glad that you started your day with a workout, and that’s a good habit to adopt.
If you wake up in workout clothes, it’s hard to make an excuse to skip your morning workout. It’s one more way to put your wellbeing first.
How to Motivate Yourself to Workout
No matter how busy you are, you can find ways to add exercise into your schedule. Getting motivated and staying motivated is key to establishing a healthy exercise routine.
It’s easy to find excuses for not working out, but you need to make your health a priority. Following a few tips on how to motivate yourself to workout should help you get started.
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