Tips to Keep You Motivated to Workout

Are you looking to make fitness a regular part of your routine but finding it hard to stay motivated? Sometimes we have the best intentions, like setting our alarms early or bringing a duffel bag of our gym clothes to work, yet we still don’t make it to the gym.  

Here are some useful tips to help you get and stay motivated: 

Set a realistic goal  

The key is to be specific. Don’t just simply say you want to be healthier, instead define what healthy means to you. For example, you may want to lose 5 lbs in a month or train for a half marathon. Whatever it is, know what concrete goal you’re working toward in the short-term.  

Know your why  

Whenever you’re feeling discouraged, think about why wanted to lose weight in the first place. Write these reasons down, post them everywhere as a constant reminder of why you started. Keeping your reasons top of mind at all times will make getting through those tough workouts worth it. 

Surround yourself with motivation 

I love checking Pinterest for great motivational quotes and inspiration. Oh, and have you seen some of those fitness models? Holy abs! Although you may feel like those kinds of results are out of reach, looking at those photos will at least inspire you enough to get that workout in.  

Hold Yourself Accountable 

Get yourself a workout buddy. Not only will it make reaching your goals more fun, it will also make it harder for you to slack off. You’re less likely to skip a gym session or a class if you already promised your friend you’d be there.  

Signing up for a challenge is another great motivator. As I mentioned in a previous blog post, I’m participating in a 6-week weight loss challenge at my kickboxing gym. I’ve also signed up for Diet Bet in the past. To start a game, you put money in the pot (required amount varies depending on the game). After four weeks, whoever’s lost 4% of their body weight will split the pot.

Eliminate the excuses 

If you’re feeling tired after a long day at work, it can be difficult to stay motivated. I know all too well that once you get home and hit that couch, it’s hard to get back up. You can combat this problem by going to the gym directly from work, or even better, by exercising before work. This will allow you the time to relax at night and it’s a great way to get you energized to start your day. We also tend to make healthier choices when we start our mornings off with a workout.  

If you’re short on time you can do a 20-minute workout video at home or find a 10-minute workout online. Remember, you don’t have to spend hours in the gym to get results.  

Mix it up 

Doing the same type of exercise all the time can become pretty boring and doesn’t give you the best results. Switch up your routine by tailoring your workouts to your mood. If you’re feeling fun and sassy, why not work on your dance moves at Zumba? Maybe you had a stressful day and need to center yourself, then Yoga is your answer. If you’re bursting with energy, that’s the perfect time for some HIIT workouts. It’s all up to you.  

Realize that your workouts are “you time.” They’re a chance to clear your mind and de-stress.  Find what works best for you and don’t get discouraged. Remember, we all need rest days to help our bodies recuperate. Just be mindful when it’s becoming a habit.  

What motivates you best when it comes to working out?