Tips To Stay Motivated For Fitness Success Home Fitness

Tips To Stay Motivated For Fitness Success

Posted by Alexis Moysey 5 Jul, 2011

Hey everyone!

I hope you’re all doing great!

When I sit down with a prospective client for the first time, I warn them that I’m going to ask some pretty invasive questions, most importantly about why they’re here and what they want to accomplish.

I do this because after being in this industry for years I know that the number one reason why people give up on their fitness or weight loss goals doesn’t have to do with injuring themselves…nope!

Instead, more often than not it’s the mental side of exercising and eating right that most people have trouble with. Unfortunately once you GET into great shape…it’s kinda nice to STAY there, isn’t it? Well then why do we love to “yo-yo” back and forth between “in” and “out” of shape?

I see it happen all the time where a person works their tail off towards a goal…they accomplish their goal…and then they “fall off the wagon”.

Maybe that’s happened to you at one time or someone you know, so here are some tips I hope will help you GET and STAY in great shape!

Develop short-term goals

This is especially true for people who anyone who has a lot of weight to lose. It can be a daunting feeling to know you have 40, 50, 100+ lbs to lose.

Set dates in advance (birthdays, anniversary, holiday party, etc) no more than a few months away. Now assign how good it’s going to be feel being more confident because you were able to slip into a size 2 (or have a tight t-shirt on for the guys) the day of your 20th reunion!

That feeling, or the consequence of not achieving that feeling, after all is what holds you accountable when threatening to “fall off the wagon”.

Share Your Goals With Someone Else

Now that you know what you’re shooting for…share it with someone you know will do their best to keep you on track! This can be your best friend, roommate, parent, sibling, spouse, personal trainer…anyone who you trust has your best interest in their heart.

I can’t tell you how many people fail at some point in their fitness or weight goals simply because they didn’t know specifically why they were trying to get in shape. Sure it’s easy to say “I want to lose 20 lbs” or that “baby bump” but again it’s the feeling and emotion of what losing 20 lbs or your baby bump will do for you and your quality of life that’s going to keep you motivated!

If you can relay the importance of that to a confidant and continue to check in with them, it’ll resonate and who knows…you just might inspire them to get in shape at the same time

Change up your routine

Not only does changing up your exercise routine have a physiological effect in that it prevents plateau-ing and continues to elevate your metabolism…it’s just good for the mind! There’s nothing worse than dreading exercise because you’re sick of doing the same thing over and over again!

With the weather so gorgeous out this summer (or if you’re in South Florida like I am…hot and muggy, yuck!) you have even more options for rigorous exercise like long hikes, rowing/canoeing, biking, running, etc.

Take advantage of the elements and change it up!

Take a Break!

Once again, the physiological benefits of taking a week off from exercise are outstanding. Especially if you’ve been performing strenuous exercises like heavy lifting, for a period of 6+ consistent weeks…I recommend taking a whole week of completely resting your body.

A lot of people look at me like I have 3 heads when I tell them to NOT exercise, especially since they’re afraid they’re going to rebel and not want to come back. I can tell you that that is the furthest thing from the truth. After a week of complete rest, muscle tissue, cells, and your brain (!) are able to fully recover.

People are amazed to see just how effective this technique is when they report to me that they feel stronger coming back from a week of rest than before!

Again I have to warn you though, if you’ve been exercising for 4 weeks even at 4 or 5 times a week…I wouldn’t say that you’re quite ready for a reset button. Just listen to your body, it’ll tell you when it’s had enough!

I sincerely hope you are able to take a few of theses concepts and remember them when “the going gets rough”. I can tell you from experience that there are many many mornings where I would rather sleep in instead of heading out for a run and sometimes, yeah, I succumb to the temptation to sleep in.

But more often than not I make sure that workouts are never stale, that my body has had plenty of rest, and most importantly I know exactly what I’m shooting for!

Thanks and have an awesome day!

-Kal

Practice Fitness Exercises At Home