In an ideal world, we’d all enjoy workout so much that getting up early or going straight to the gym after work would be the highlight of our days. Even if you’re a certified fitness enthusiast, there will be days when staying in bed wins out over sticking to your routine.
No matter how committed you are to physical fitness, there will be days when putting on your workout clothes or driving to the gym seems like an exercise in and of itself. However, learning how to motivate yourself even when a routine feels monotonous or difficult is essential for reaching your fitness goals.
Fortunately, there are numerous methods for finding and maintaining motivation to exercise. Continue reading for ten tips on how to stay committed to your fitness goals and achieve everything you set out to do.
1. Make a Goal
Setting goals is one of the most effective ways to stay motivated. Goals are essential for achieving success in all aspects of life, whether you’re trying to advance at work or improve at the gym. Having a clear set of goals to aim for helps you focus your intentions and inspires you to begin your physical fitness journey.
Once you’re on your way, your fitness goals can provide much-needed motivation when things get tough or your motivation begins to wane. Knowing where you want to go can increase your motivation and drive to get there.
2. Maintain Personal Accountability
When discussing fitness and motivation, the term “self discipline” is frequently used. But willpower alone won’t always get us there—and that’s okay. Instead, find ways to hold yourself accountable to your fitness commitments so that any lapse in willpower does not derail your progress.
People understand if you believe that personal accountability is easier said than done. After all, no one will notice if you skip leg day or shave a mile or two off your morning run. That is why having a system in place for holding yourself accountable is critical. Do you want to know how to stay motivated to exercise? Here are some pointers to help you stick to it.
3. Find a Gym Partner
Even better than having friends and family cheering you on from the sidelines is having a buddy you can rely on right alongside you in the trenches. That’s why finding a gym buddy is one of the best ways to stay motivated to work out.
According to the CDC, people who exercise with a friend feel more motivated and exercise more consistently than people who exercise alone. 4 Say goodbye to lonely gym trips and hello to an accountability partner built in.
Another tip for keeping your gym buddy motivated? Sign up for a fitness class every now and then! If neither of you is motivated or wants to change up your regular workout routine, joining group workout classes can be enjoyable while also keeping you on track.
4. Select a Workout Mentor
If you’re looking for motivation, it might be worth looking for a fitness mentor who can serve as a role model for you. Perhaps they exemplify your physical fitness goals or live the type of exercise-centric life you’ve always desired for yourself.
A gym mentor of this type can serve as an example of what you want to achieve and motivate you to push yourself.
5. Give some flexibility
Yes, setting and sticking to goals is essential. However, a little perseverance can go a long way towards keeping you motivated to exercise.
That may seem counterintuitive, but taking a break from working out is a fantastic way to avoid what is known as exercise burnout. That’s when you hit a workout plateau and lose all motivation, energy, and drive.
In other words, don’t be concerned if you skip a few days or even a week of exercise. It will allow your body to rest and recover while also keeping you from becoming bored with your routine. Sometimes all you need is a day off to rediscover your fitness motivation and get back on track with your workout routine.
6. Set Your Playlist Perfect
Never underestimate the power of the perfect playlist when it comes to staying motivated to workout. There are strong links between listening to music and giving your exercise routine your all, so make a playlist of songs that get you going before heading to the gym.
There’s plenty of evidence to back up the link between good music and a good workout. According to studies, listening to music can help you stay motivated.
7. Treat Yourself to Your Television Favorite
If you’ve been working out extra hard and are losing motivation, it might be time to relax with an episode or two of your favourite TV show—while still working out, of course. Believe it or not, watching an old episode of a show you enjoy can boost your motivation to complete a task you’ve been putting off, such as your daily workout.
With the introduction of exercise equipment such as treadmills with built-in screens, TV and physical fitness haven’t gone so well together since the glory days of the home workout video. But there’s even better news. The same logic can be applied to some of your other favourite forms of entertainment, such as that long-awaited book, audiobook, podcast, or movie.