How do you keep the motivation to workout?

2»

Replies

  • iluvprettyshoes
    iluvprettyshoes Posts: 605 Member
    I don't even think about if I'm motivated or not. I just do it.

    For sure I don't want to be a lazy, whiny quitter & if I quit that's exactly what I'd sound like.
  • sbrownallison
    sbrownallison Posts: 314 Member
    The key seems to be consistency, i.e., do some kind of intentional exercise every day. It has to be built into your schedule the same way a basic habit is - like brushing your teeth. You can't wait until you "have time" to do it: You have to make the time. It can be as simple as a 15-minute walk (perhaps on a break at work). If you do this every day, and build from there and be consistent, you will see progress.

    When I have a day that I don't "feel like" going to my class, I tell myself "DO IT ANYWAY." Just a simply way to remind myself that this is important if I want to lose weight and keep it off. I also try to remind myself of the other benefits: better overall health, flexibility, improved balance, and feeling of well-being...
  • cklowery36
    cklowery36 Posts: 151 Member
    Outside of work and routines in hygiene, that's the line where I "just do it."

    I believe that for some like me, motivation is a necessity. I'm nowhere near a type A personality, I've never been driven to exercise, and even right now I'm thinking about a pint of chocolate Hagen Daaz ice cream. So here are a few things that keep me off the couch and out the freezer:

    1. I found a mantra or motto and encourage myself. I read about finding the things that drive me to move in that direction and make it into a simple saying. I believe in living the best life possible, so I have to stoke that fire in the belly that makes me get up and move. I shortened it to "Live the life. Feed the fire." When I'm feeling like I'm my motivation's a bit low I say that and other positive things to myself to restart my cold engines.

    2. I work on consistency, not progress. Someone mentioned that your eye might be on the journey instead of the prize. It gets discouraging when numbers go up and down, but I found that I want my calendar to show the times that I worked out and not blanks. By changing my focus, I logged in 22 out of 24 workouts this month!

    3. I know my big goal, but I'm staying focused on my smaller goals. I have a goal to lose at least 40 pounds, but my small goal this week, is to see 165 on the scale and not 166. I write my weekly goal weight now on the inside of my wrist so when I pick up something to eat that's not exactly goal-worthy, it reminds me what my brass ring is.

    4. I work on building habits. This is a lifestyle, not a quick-fix and I can't just go back after I make the goal, so packing snacks, planning ahead, scheduling my workout, all that stuff seems like a lot now, but I see that they're getting easier and take less thought than when I started.

    5. I found a workout that I enjoy doing. I do Turbo Fire right now and I really like the pace and intensity and I look forward to doing it! You got to find something that you enjoy, otherwise you just won't do it.

    6. Lastly, I give myself a break occasionally. I'm going through a rough patch in my life at the moment, so after a 4-week stint of working out 6 days a week, I cut myself some slack for a week and promised myself, Monday I'm back in the game. It's given me a chance to remember my motivations and gave me something to look forward to tomorrow!

    Hope this helped and good luck finding your motivation!
  • shinkalork
    shinkalork Posts: 815 Member
    well..i see results and tell myself that with all the hell i went for that..i'm not going to screw that up for that weak moment..so I push myself and do it.
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    it's more me getting frustrated when the scale doesn't move

    You need to make sure you have a good plan, stick to the plan, trust in the plan and be patient. You will never get anywhere if you keep giving up after 2 weeks.
  • Marie294
    Marie294 Posts: 304
    I am motivated by the results I get when I work out! :)
  • dbh3425
    dbh3425 Posts: 15 Member
    I have promised myself that I will never have to start over again if I just keep going.
  • Ejourneys
    Ejourneys Posts: 1,603 Member
    1. Convenience -- I exercise in my home, on my schedule. Everything I need is within arm's reach.
    2. Passion -- I do a routine that I love with music that I love. My workouts become mini-vacations for me.
    3. Endorphins -- My body is at the point where I *want* to exercise.
    4. Habit -- I make sure that what I do is sustainable, regardless of what the scale says.
  • PhiSigAmber
    PhiSigAmber Posts: 44 Member
    I hired a personal trainer. At this point, I know I need to have someone to be accountable to, other than myself. Yes, it's expensive, but so, so worth it.
  • LiftAllThePizzas
    LiftAllThePizzas Posts: 17,857 Member
    What is your goal? I don't mean a number on a scale, that is just a way to get something you want. I mean whatever you fill into the blank: "I want to do this because ______." You don't have to tell anyone what that answer is, sometimes the answer might be embarrassing to tell others. ;)

    It could be something like "walking into a room and feeling sexy" or "being able to play sports" or "having lots of energy" or whatever. As long as it isn't something that other people can take away from you, like "this particular person will suddenly fall in love with me," or "my peers will finally respect me."

    Once you know what your real goal is, visualize it. See it happening. Fantasize about it, the same way as with any other fantasies, how will it feel, etc. The difference is that you can make this dream come true!

    When you need motivation, whether it's getting up off the couch to go work out, or when you're getting tired during your workout, call up that picture/scene/movie. If you cannot visualize accomplishing your goal, you will never accomplish it.
  • samantha1242
    samantha1242 Posts: 816 Member
    This is how I stay motivated. I play off the fact that I love goals, am a visual person and enjoy planning so I have a printout calendar for the month on the fridge and write out and plan the whole month of workouts. Each time I complete a day/goal I will check the day and it always makes me feel awesome! And awkwardly enough (nerd) I find it fun... Every time I see a change in weight/measurements I will write it on the day. Doing this helps me when maybe the next week I didn't lose or see any change but knowing that on my calendar at the beginning of the month I was x amount bigger and heavier. If I feel discouraged I keep telling myself that all good things take time and try to focus on other reasons for working out then weight loss. My niece, my happiness, my life, being able to hike this mountain, being able to..you get the idea..... I find if I put all my eggs into the one weightloss basket and I don't see immediate results, I tend to lose motivation so recognizing the other benefits helps keep me motivated. Also, take pictures! I found that eventually after me telling myself everyday to just do it and work out, a month later my results in pictures were better then my results in the scale :)
  • Tess8807
    Tess8807 Posts: 5
    I think the key is to have attainable goals. So set goals and make sure they are do-able don't set yourself up for failure. View your schedule a week ahead and decide which days you can fit in your workouts. My goals are to workout 4 days a week for 30-40 min. So I always workout my 2 days off from work then decide what 2 other days I can fit in my workouts. I've been able to meet my goals for 6 weeks now. Also seeing the pounds drop off is GREAT motivation. Keep at it!
  • FitBlackChick
    FitBlackChick Posts: 215 Member
    I LOVE how awesome I feel after a workout :) It can literally change my whole day. I just remind myself that it's 1 hour out f my day, then I'm done. It also helps to have rest days in between workout days. For example, I rest every 3 days. It gives me motivation because I get to say "Okay, just do it for a few days and then you won't have to for one whole day." As for staying motivated even when you don't see progress physically, look for other signs of improvement. Do you feel like you have more energy in general? Are certain exercises getting easier? Focusing on the little things really helps I promise. Because the thing is, changes don't happen over night. You have to know and accept that going in. Choose to focus on areas where you can definitely notice progress more often. Remember, fitness is so much more than how you'll look in your clothes. It empowers you in so many other ways. So don't give up. Keep showing your body the love it deserves by working out consistently. All those physical changes you want will follow :)

Categories