5 Things To Keep You Motivated
By: Caley Bohn
New Year’s Resolutions. They have gyms and fitness centers everywhere at their max. The classes I teach, and the local gym I go to are packed to the brim! It is great to see that so many individuals have decided to incorporate more fitness and wellness into their lives. Unfortunately, come March, nearly half of these people will no longer be dedicated to the fitness routine they swore to abide by. It’s tough to change old habits, and sometimes you need a little help. Below, I’ve listed 5 things that any person can do to help keep themselves motivated and stick with their New Year’s resolution.
1. Set a realistic goal
This is key to staying motivated. Be realistic with yourself. You may want to lose 50lbs in one month, but is that really realistic? No. The average healthy weight loss is between 1-2lbs a week. That is 4-8lbs a month. Use those numbers as a baseline to create your goal if it is weight loss oriented. If you’re looking to achieve other goals, talk with a fitness professional to help you create a realistic timeline. Remember to always consult with your doctor before starting any sort of exercise or weight loss routine.
2. Reward yourself along the way
Many people will give up on their goals because they are solely focused on the end result. It’s important to reward yourself for the milestones you reach. Set these milestones when you create your goals, along with a reward for yourself. For example, the goal is to run a 5K in June 2012. The first time a full mile is ran without stopping, download a few new songs from iTunes. At mile 2, buy some new workout gear. Or maybe after working out consistently for 2 months, treat yourself to a movie night with your spouse, significant other, and/or friends.
3. Find a buddy
Working out with a partner is always more motivational than on your own. You have someone to help hold you accountable when you would much rather head straight home, instead of going to the gym. Your buddy is also there to help get you through those low points of frustration and to celebrate the high points of reaching a milestone. And let’s be honest, everyone likes a little competition.
4. Have a variety in your workouts
This is another killer for motivation. You come into the gym and go to your same elliptical (if it’s available) and choose the hills program for 30 minutes. Then you do the circuit of weight training machines, 3 sets of 15, and go home. Ugh. How boring! Switch up your routine! There are so many things you can do to mix it up. Come in at a different time of day, try a group training class, do free weights instead of machine weights, or do your weight training first, then cardio. Anything to break up your routine. We are most definitely creatures of habit, and sometimes that is so monotonous.
5. Don’t be so hard on yourself
Working out should not feel like a job. It is a great way to make time for yourself and relieve stress. Everyone makes mistakes, and that is OK. If you slip up, don’t let it drag you back into your old habits and routines. Use it as a learning experience and move on. Think about what you can do next time to avoid the same mistake.
- Posted in: Corporate Wellness ♦ Exercise/Fitness ♦ Strength Training ♦ Wellness
