4 Ways to Keep Yourself Motivated for Exercise
By Genevieve Cunningham
One of the hardest parts of working out is finding the motivation. It's easy to find it once or twice. But every single day? That's the real struggle. Changes take time and effort and energy. And since we have to work out every day without any obvious results, it's incredibly easy to lose the will to keep going. So what can we do? If you would like to improve your health and fitness, but you're struggling to find the motivation, take a look at these four tips to help you out.
Turn It Into a Habit
Forming a habit is a lot better than having to find motivation over and over again for the rest of your life. In order to make something a habit, you have to do it every day for at least 21 days. And if you can make it to 90 days, you're definitely creating lasting habits. Keep telling yourself that you have to work out for 21 days -- only three weeks! -- and then the entire process will get easier.
Set Specific Attainable Goals
Big, lofty, abstract goals can be good in certain situations. But overall, the more clear and precise we are, the easier it is to see progress. Set goals that are both specific and attainable. Instead of setting the goal of "losing weight," set the goal to lose exactly five pounds in a month. Progress is what keeps us moving forward, so set yourself up for success.
Get Outside Help
Don't think that you have to do everything on your own. You don't. Feel free to get some help from other sources. Ask a friend to be your workout buddy. Ask a personal trainer for advice. Ask a nutritionist for a diet plan. Surrounding ourselves with support is a great way to keep us working toward our goals. Get the help you need, and don't be ashamed of it.
Always Find the Positives
One of the best ways to keep your motivation is to stay positive. But of course, that's not always easy. Instead of simply focusing on a positive mindset, think of specific positive things happening in your life. Think of how you ran that mile 10 seconds faster. Think of how you made it to the gym four days this week. Think of how you said no to dessert last night. Give yourself some credit! Counting the positives helps you maintain a better perspective, which helps with both motivation and long-term success.
It's hard to keep your motivation alive. It's hard for everyone! Know that you're not alone. But you should also know that you can take control and change things for the better. Use these tips to keep your motivation alive, and you'll be feeling healthier, stronger, and happier in no time at all.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Oklahoma City, Okla.