Whether you are participating in a weight loss plan, or training for a competitive event, exercise is a big part of your overall objectives. But sometimes it can become difficult to talk yourself into exercise, after a long day at the office and the stress of daily life. Try these three simple tricks to stay motivated, and as always, give us a call if you need nutritional advice or support.
Set specific goals. Most people start working out because they “want to get in better shape” or “want to look thinner”. These are nice goals, but they’re vague. It’s hard to accomplish a goal when you don’t know exactly what it is, and difficult to motivate yourself off the couch when you can’t see measurable progress!
Instead, set goals like, “I want to be able to jog a mile without stopping” or “I want to bench press 150 pounds”. Now you have a goal that is motivating, because you can actually track your progress as you work toward it.
Hold yourself accountable. Share your workout goals and daily plans with someone that you don’t want to disappoint. You could even just post about it on social media! Once you’ve told a few people what you want to accomplish, it will help you stay accountable for your own actions.
Write yourself a letter. This one requires some imagination, and you might feel a little bit silly. But it really works for a lot of people! Pretend to be yourself, in the future, after you have accomplished your goals. Now write Current You a letter from Future You. Thank yourself for working so hard, and describe how great you look and feel now that you have accomplished your goals.
Remember to be specific, vividly describing what you have accomplished, and all the ways in which you now benefit from months of hard work. When you feel tempted to skip a workout or cheat, pull out that letter and read it again. Many professional athletes have found power in visualizing themselves achieving their goals, and it can certainly work for your fitness goals or weight loss plan.
For more information on a weight loss plan that really works, give us a call. We can also check your overall health to make sure your workout plans are safe for you, and make recommendations to keep you focused on your goals.
