With so many responsibilities to juggle, it can be hard to maintain a good workout routine. But daily exercise is absolutely critical to maintaining good health. Exercise prevents various physical health conditions such as obesity, heart problems, and diabetes. It also keeps your body fit and can even benefit your skin.
But even with all these benefits, it can be hard to remain motivated to head to the gym every day. Below are some tips that can boost your motivation to maintain a workout regimen.
Establish A Routine
It’s easy to lose motivation when you don’t make exercise a habit in the first place. Those who don’t establish a habit of exercising right away are more likely to give up quickly.
When you first begin your exercise routine, set out to make it a habit, not just a once in a while activity. One way you can do this is by setting a specific time each day to exercise. For example, you could go running every morning at 6 a.m. before the rest of the house wakes up or head to the gym right after work each evening.
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Furthermore, make sure you are getting yourself to the gym every day. Set an alarm or have a buddy go with you to keep you accountable. You can take a day or two off each week to rest, but don’t take off too many days. Otherwise, you can easily drop the habit and lose motivation altogether.
Make It Fun
Many people drop their workout routine because they don’t enjoy it. They don’t make an effort to make it fun, so it feels more like an uncomfortable chore.
But most people who stick with their workout goals end up enjoying exercise. Why? They usually find an activity that is fun for them. Their enjoyment of the activity is enough to motivate them to work out daily and remain fit.
If you struggle to maintain motivation, try switching to a new activity. For example, instead of just running on the treadmill every day, you can try swimming at your local aquatic recreation center. Or you can try jogging through the park instead of the same dull gym. Even a change of scenery can make the activity more enjoyable.
Some exercise zealots also listen to music, podcasts, audiobooks, or videos while working out to stay entertained. It may not make running on the treadmill itself more enjoyable, but it is a welcome distraction while you work out.
Focus On The Positives
Many people give up on working out because they focus on the negatives, such as waking up early, being out of shape, or sweating too much.
You’re bound to give up on something if you constantly complain about it. So to ensure success, focus on the positives. For example, focus on how good you feel after your workout and the small health goals you have already achieved. Also, remind yourself of the other fun aspects of your workout, such as meeting new people, getting out of the house for a bit, or using the activity to spend more time with friends.
Set Doable Goals
When creating workout goals, many people set unrealistic goals. As a result, they end up biting off more than they can chew and quickly give up because they think working out is too hard. Therefore, you need to set multiple, smaller, and more attainable goals to keep yourself motivated.
For example, if you have a goal of losing 50 lbs, break that goal up into small chunks of 5 or 10 lb increments. Or, if your goal is to run a 5K, set up an intermittent run/walk routine that helps you slowly build up your stamina until you can run the full distance.
Track Progress
Once you set attainable goals, it’s important to track and measure your success. This way, you will see just how much you have improved since you started, and you will be more motivated to keep going.
Even if you don’t reach your goals in the timeframe you expected, tracking your progress will show you just how far you have come. You will have written proof of your progress which will motivate you to keep working towards your next goals.
Stop Beating Yourself Up
If you’re new to working out, you may be inclined to beat yourself for not being as fit as you want to be. You may also compare yourself to others at the gym who are in great shape from years of working out.
But beating yourself up and comparing yourself to others won’t help. This kind of negative self-talk is rarely productive and will make you more likely to quit rather than motivate you.
Instead, as mentioned before, focus on your success. Pat yourself on the back for the progress you’ve made and be your own cheerleader. Many people have been in the same position as you but still achieved their workout goals. They did this by cheering themselves on, not by beating themselves up.
Make It A Team Effort
What’s more fun than working out with your friends? Bringing your friends along makes working out more enjoyable and has the added benefit of some socialization.
Furthermore, your friends can keep you accountable to meet your goals. With someone watching you and being your cheerleader, it will be much easier to maintain your motivation and determination.
Marie Miguel Biography
Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health- related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.
