Finding the proper motivation at the gym can make or break your fitness goals. Some days we are certainly more motivated than others, but at the end of the day we must find ways to keep going and reach our desired fitness goals. Doing so is obviously not so easy; finding ways to stay consistent can be quite difficult at times, but there are many ways that you can overcome these difficult times. Finding ways to stay motivated is the route to the problem that so many trainees experience during their fitness journeys. Just remember motivation is everywhere, it’s all around us, sometimes it’s the simplest things we do or look for that can keep us on track and give us that extra boost to keep on going. Here are 10 simple ways you can stay motivated and realize your fitness dreams once and for all, enjoy!
1. Change your Routine! Constantly doing the same things can lead to boredom, which eventually leads to a lack of motivation, causing you to quit the gym. Changing your routines is a huge part of staying motivated. In terms of getting the best possible results, having a variation in your routine is key. Instead of hitting abs 5 times a week, hit them twice a week. This will allow your abs to grow with rest and ultimately lead to better results. There is no tactic greater than body manipulation when it comes to fitness. When your body develops a routine, it knows it tends to stay at a standstill. When you throw it a curve ball and change your routine, you are giving it the boost it desperately needs. Not only will your body benefit from a new routine but so will you, keeping you motivated and excited to tackle new workouts. Each plan should be changed after 6 weeks maximum.
2. Do What Inspires You! What drives You!
Is it work? Is it your family, God, death, life, love, or maybe an athlete you want to emulate? Now I’m not saying go online and find a video of a dude curling a hundred pound weight; there is plenty of content online to satisfy whatever type of motivation you are looking for. There are a lot of tremendous athletes and normal people online inspiring others every day, and finding motivation through this avenue can be quite impactful and give you that kick start you need to get going. I myself sometimes need that extra boost!
So Whether it’s Will Smith, Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X, Cancer victims, Navy Seals, or your Mom and/or Dad feeding your mind with some motivational lines or watching them do doing extraordinary things online, can empower your mind. You’ll be more focused, more motivated, and ready to go! The internet has become a powerful tool for fitness, so be sure to use it when you need it.
3. Set Goals and Hold Yourself Accountable
Improve Your Training, Diet And Motivation. Having both short term and long term goals can be of great help in overcoming depression. The short term goal should be achievable within two weeks (i.e. I want to lift an extra 5 pounds of weight to my incline bench). The long term goal can be a contest of a photo shoot with a great physique photographer. Achieving the small goals will build up your confidence and keep you coming back for more.
4. Keep a Food Log and/or a Workout log
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Hang up a calendar in an obvious spot that is devoted solely to tracking your workouts. Every day you don’t work out, mark it with a giant red “X.” If you skip two or three days in a row you’ll be faced with all of those giant “X”s–a visual reminder that it’s time to get your butt in gear.
5. Bribe Yourself With a Treat
It’s always easier to get through something you don’t want to do when you have something to look forward to after. On weekends, plan something fun post-workout. Tell yourself you’ll stop for a pedicure on the way home from the gym, or plan a girls’ night out for that evening. That way, the gym will be just a stop on the way to something else you’re actually looking forward to.
6. SOME JERKS EXPECT YOU TO QUIT
Many of us know those people. (HATERS) You tell them that you are starting a workout program and they just roll their eyes. (HATERS!)
“Yeah, I’ll believe it when I see it!” They expect you to fail and never expect to see any changes. They don’t think you can do it. You will prove them wrong and you will love to see the look on their jealous faces when you succeed. 🙂
Take a minute right now and create a list of names of these people. It may be one person or it may be many. Write them down and look at these names before deciding to miss a workout!
7. Workout with people who will Cheer you on and push you to greatness!
Having people standing behind me, yelling and jumping up and down when I’m stuck at the bottom of a heavy squat is the best motivator because it hypes me up! It also means everybody else in the gym looks over to see what’s going on, and fear of failing with that big of an audience makes me at least 20% stronger.
8. Do it for charity
Pick a meaningful organization, such as the Salvation Army, that you’ll donate your “fat clothes” to once you’ve reached your fitness goals. Or do it for Cancer. As many people are dying from this disease choose to push pass the pain of a run and raise money to find a cure!
9. Understanding Fitness
Once you understand that fitness, flexibility, speed, agility, strength, and power are all components of performing at your best, it is easier to stay motivated to work out and build the foundation needed to prevent injuries and stay in the game.
10. Never let go of a Dream
Not all people can play sports and often it is the effort you put in off the field that will enhance your game enough to make the team. Ask any coach if they would rather have a group of hard working players with heart or a group of talented players with little heart. Hard work wins every time. Keep Pushing, Keep Dreaming and NEVER GIVE UP.
But all in all this is just advice. Do not wait till the end of the year to be motivated. Life is a gift and we need to live it and play the game daily. Greatness is within us all. The question is how bad do you want it!
Never Stop and Never Settle,
Crystal aka Barbell Barbie. NY
References:
http://www.military.com/military-fitness/health/top-ten-list-to-stay-motivated-and-build-mental-toughness
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/topshal.htm
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ruth-zukerman/10-ways-to-stay-motivated-to-work-out_b_931603.html