8 Tips On Getting & Staying Motivated

When it comes to exercise and working out, do you struggle with finding your motivation? Maybe once you have it you seem to lose it? Are you waiting for motivation to strike in order to start?

Unfortunately, relying solely on motivation will never work. Motivation is fleeting.

It’s great when it comes around but typically it doesn't stick around for long periods of time. Relying on motivation puts you at the whim of things that can be outside your control.  

I think there is a way to cultivate motivation to bring it to you, make it a much less passive process. 

Here are some tips for how to start focusing less on motivation when it comes to exercising:

1- Tell people about it, or make it solely your thing: 

Sometimes telling people about your workouts or your goals adds more accountability. On the other hand, it can add another level of pressure that can be entirely unhelpful. 

2 - Track progress and/or your consistency 

Depending on your goal, tracking progress and consistency can be helpful in being able to see how your ability has improved and what you’ve accomplished. Especially, when you don't feel like you've done much. You can do it digitally through a number of apps or make your own tracking sheet and manually check things off.

3 - Set Goals and Reward yourself  

It's important to set smaller goals in between now and your main goal. It’s important to reward yourself when you hit those milestones. This helps with maintaining your motivation and reminding yourself what you are working towards. 

Intentionality in your rewards is important. Make them things or experiences that you would be genuinely excited about.

4 - Make it a non-negotiable

Are there things that you do throughout your day that happen most, if not every day? Like brushing your teeth, drinking enough water? Schedule the workout into your day, like an event or appointment.

5 - Remember reaching our fitness goals is not a linear path:

You will experience set backs, you will hit plateaus, you will have improvements and hit your goals. It’s all apart of it. Be intentional with what stage you may be in and why. 

6 - Switch it up

Try out a different workout. Try out a different activity. If you've been doing the same thing for awhile it can be helpful to try something new. It can be helpful for your body and mind.

7 - Figure out why

Why are you working towards the goal you have, why did you make it?

8 - Make it an event you can look forward to

This combines a few of the tips above plus a few. Schedule it, do it with a friend, listen to music or a podcast, wear clothes that you're excited about. 

Motivation is fleeting, we know this. The solution is not to beat yourself up, to be hard on yourself.

I hope these tips can help you when motivation has disappeared and you’re tired of waiting for it.