"But Marquita," you say, "how do I even get motivated in the first place?"
Well, I'm here to share with you the fruits of my research, and some of my personal experience. I present to you:
WAYS TO GET MOTIVATED TO WORKOUT
Connect with WHY you decided you needed to start an exercise routine in the first place!
Now, I don't mean a superficial why either, like to fit into a bathing suit or look better so that your ex regrets leaving you. While those why's are certainly VALID and they might motivate you in the short term, they're not going to KEEP you motivated in the long term. So, connect with the why that'll make you put on sneakers when you'd rather ball up infront of the tv with a pint of B&J! Connect with the why that'll drive you forward when you've been consistent for three weeks and the scale (which is an evil tool and only tells a part of the story) hasn't budged an inch! Or worse, has gone UP!
There's a saying I hear often, "Find the why that'll make you cry." and, honestly that's different for different people. For some, it's not being able to play with their kids. For others, like me, it's because of the fear of what would happen if a change didn't happen! I was pre-diabetic, I was sick constantly, my joints hurt, my body hurt, and I was confronted with two choices: keep doing what I was doing and be diabetic in my TWENTIES or change. I chose change!
RECONNECT with that why on a DAILY basis!
I reconnect with my why all the time through being a coach because I am helping people who were in the same situation I was. I get to see myself in each of my clients and that keeps me pushing forward, not only because I don't want to go back to that level of pain but because I am PROOF to them that change is possible!
For others, reconnecting comes in the form of daily affirmations, having their progress pictures posted somewhere they'll always see it, interactions with friends/family. I'm a big fan of affirmations though. Here's one you can try:
I love myself. I am a changed person. I am committed to improving my health so that I can (insert your why here). I am a changed person and I know the sacrifices now are worth the benefits in the future.
You can also add visualization to your toolbox of success! SEE and FEEL how you'll feel after reaching your goals! Visualize how your life will be different.
Get a support network!
Something that I find so strange is the amount of people that have something negative or passive aggressive to say to those who are making a life change. I don't know why it happens, but I do know that you need to be prepared when it does happen! And this comes in the form of a support network. Friends and people you know that are behind you and, better yet, pursuing a fitness goal of their own!
You can find support groups on Facebook, websites like Sparkpeople.com, or with our team! We provide a safe, judgement free zone for people working towards their own health and fitness goals in the form of online fitness accountability/support groups.
Buy fitness clothes you actually want to wear!
Sounds weird, but after I started doing this I can tell you that I am more motivated to workout! I don't know if it's because I feel cute in my workout clothes or because I spent the money on them so I'm definitely going to use them, but it's working for me and it's working for my friend Chelsea who turned me on to the idea!
Find something you ENJOY as your exercise!
I. Hate. Cardio! My definition of cardio is "lift weights faster"! You know when I wasn't consistent with my workouts? When I first started doing cardio. You know what I love? Weight lifting! Guess when I became more consistent, when I was doing P90X! P90X laid out the foundation for me bec
ause it was something that I enjoyed doing (though AgilityX can bite me!).
So, find something that you like! If you're a dancer try Cize or a bellydance workout!. If you like cardio kickboxing, take a cardio kickboxing class or try Turbo Jam. If you like running, then put on those shoes and RUN! Love the outdoors? Go hiking! 1hour of hiking can burn up to 350 calories! More so if you're power walking or dealing with inclines!
REWARD YOURSELF!
When you hit milestones for you, reward yourself and celebrate those small victories! Did you workout today? Then you're better than the person who sat on the couch and did nothing so that deserves some freaking praise!
But, don't reward yourself with food. My friend shared a quote with me along the lines of, "don't reward yourself with food, you're not a dog." That hit home with me because that was my reward system growing up!
So how can you reward yourself? Maybe choose products/items that you want and make them milestone "prizes". For example, when I finish Hammer & Chisel I'm going to be buying some super cute fitness gear! Or, if you never get "me time" reward yourself with "me time".
Love Yourself!
This may sound silly, but a boost in the self love category never hurt anyone! ^_^ So, love yourself! Rejoice in your awesome! Remind yourself and the WORLD regularly of what makes you uniquely you!
If you want more suggestions on how to get motivated in all areas of your life I HIGHLY suggest reading "You Are A Badass". This book caused a huge shift for me in my life!
Message me today at coachmarquita@gmail.com or go to the "Start Your Journey!" tab!
Brightest Blessings )O(
