My fitness routine is one of those things that I get many questions about. Typically when I tell someone that I get up at 5 am to go to the gym multiple times a week they call me crazy. I tend to disagree with that statement because we all have to do what works best for our lives. Realistically speaking, there are times where I hit the gym as planned each day, and then there are days where the alarm goes off, and I hit snooze. I also have weeks where I keep a strict vegan diet and then days where I want pizza, and I have a pizza. Over the past several years of maintaining a consistent workout routine, I have learned many things, so I want to share with you how I stay motivated to workout.
First things first. My biggest lesson about my fitness journey is that each aspect of what I mentioned above is ok. We are human beings, not robots, and sometimes we need to take a break. Listen to your body, and go when it says go, and sit when it says sit. Know that whatever stage of your fitness journey you are at, you will eventually reach your goals if you keep trying. I’m definitely far from perfect, but here are some of the ways I stay motivated to workout.
Create a routine
I try to go to the gym on the same days each week. I typically plan out what I am going to do for each workout ahead of time so that way I am not lost/wasting time. I think of my trips to the gym sort of like an appointment that I have made in advance that I cannot miss.
This form of structure can be super helpful for people who feel like they do not know what they are doing when they get to the gym. Pick days that work best for you to workout, and plan out your workouts by writing them down. A good way to figure out how to do workouts and use certain machines is to watch YouTube videos.
Having a plan when you walk in the door is a great way to hold yourself accountable and make sure you get a good workout.
Surround Yourself With Like – Minded People
There is nothing harder than feeling motivated to take control of your fitness, and having someone suggest an ice cream run. When you are not on the same page as those around you, it can throw you way off track. This one feels like an obvious point, but I feel like it is important to call it out. Whether it is a partner, friends, or family, you want to make sure that the people around you support your goals, and not do things that might throw you off track. It is especially helpful when you can find like-minded people to share the journey with. They will understand your struggles when you are sore from your workout, or not feeling motivated, and they can also be the cheerleader you need to get you back on track. You can root for one another!
Find What Motivates You
There are two kinds of motivators, internal and external. There are people who get up early each day and hit the gym because they love the way it makes them feel. There is the other set that needs a bit of a push to help them stay motivated to workout. When someone is motivated by external factors, it is usually based on a need to lose weight because they want to change their appearance or other outside factors.
Figure out what motivates you. What keeps you moving forward toward your goal? If you want to lose weight, what does that mean for your life? How will you feel when you lose weight? How will life be different? Figuring out your why will help you drill down to your what, and the what is how you will stay motivated to workout.
My motivators are internal and external. I have a personal commitment to myself to be bikini ready all year around. In order to keep this commitment, I know that I must keep a regular workout routine and be mindful of what I eat. Varying my workouts have also proven to be helpful in keeping myself motivated. I try to mix in cardio, weight lifting, and also kickboxing every once in awhile.
At the end of the day, your goal should be to have more internal factors that keep you motivated to workout than external. Make a commitment to yourself, and do not break it. If you are looking for more ways to motivate yourself to workout, check out this post.
