When it comes to learning how to get motivated, there are no short cut. It is not something that can be learned quickly by reading a few motivating quotes and stopping for a while. Motivation is something that you have to work at and it takes a long time to see results. So how do you go from not wanting to exercise to actually going to the gym and getting exercise?
To get motivated, first you should consider why you wish to exercise in the first place. Simple enough questions; maybe you are sick of feeling unwell and want some help? Or maybe you just hate your job and need a change? If it’s a bit more complex, such as wanting to better your health or fitness then you will probably find significant motivation in almost any activity. The top three values that motivate us are; fitness, health and happiness.
Fitness is obviously important. When you are fit, you feel much better about yourself and you just generally enjoy life much more. Health is great, too – though of course, the pursuit of fitness is a gradual process that takes discipline and commitment. If you set some short, realistic goals and maintain those goals, motivation will come naturally. Here are some ways how to get started with a regular workout.
Set some short-term, medium-term and long-term goals. Think of what you can achieve over the next few weeks, months, weeks or days. It doesn’t make sense to expect huge results on a small period of time if you’re not going to stick to the plan. So set a range of achievable milestones for both fitness and health. Some people recommend once per week, others per month. Whatever your goals are, be sure to keep your motivation high by continuing to exercise regularly.
Then set goals that are smaller but still relevant. That way, if you do achieve one of your bigger goals, it will be more rewarding. You should also tell yourself that you should’stick with it’ and that you can do it – so even if it’s not the biggest goal that you set, it will still be good work when you have achieved it.
Finally, find ways to keep your motivation high by including yourself in your fitness program. If you join a gym or a sports club, or perhaps just a group of friends who exercise regularly, then you have all that you need to keep you motivated. Don’t make the entire exercise thing about you alone; it will become too easy and will eventually lead you to give up.
Remember to reward yourself when you are doing a good job of exercising and getting healthy. You can do this by making yourself feel great when you are performing exercises that you enjoy and are effective for weight loss and fitness. Don’t fall into the trap of exercising because it is what everyone else is doing. Instead, find something that you love doing and that you have fun doing. And once you’ve discovered it, stick with it.
In addition, your diet and your mindset play major roles on how to become motivated to exercise and stay motivated once you start. Do your best to take care of your body, eat healthily and get plenty of rest. Also, focus on your intrinsic motivators – such as a loved one or a special friend – and use them as support. These are external motivators, which are essential for sustaining your motivation as well.
Once you’ve identified your three top motivators, learn all you can about how to use them to stay motivated to continue your workouts and meet your goals. The key is to feel like you are really working. Stay tuned to your inner motivator and give yourself praise when you reach specific goals. Use your three top motivators to keep you going and don’t give up on the goal. Also, don’t discount the value of using others’ support – whether it’s from a friend, family member, a coworker or a professional – to stay motivated.
Lastly, set up your workout routine to get motivated to exercise. If you are just starting out, begin your workout routine slowly and gradually increase your reps and sets over time. Work on different muscles at different times of the day. Also, vary the location of your workouts so you don’t get bored with a particular workout routine. This will keep you excited and give you the incentive to keep working out.
Motivation is one of the most important aspects of exercise. To lose weight and maintain your current fitness level, you have to be constantly motivated to maintain your exercise routines. Remember to stay excited about your exercise and use your top motivators to keep you going. By making exercise fun and interesting, you will find it much easier to stick with your exercise routine and lose weight.