Have you slacked off on your fitness routine? Maintaining your motivation is a very important task when you are developing a healthy lifestyle. Creating a solid routine is imperative to maintaining your discipline and sparking your motivation. Here are a few tips to get you back on track and making progress in no time!
#1: Schedule Your Activity Time
Check your calendar weekly and determine when you can go to the gym, work with a trainer, or take a class. This can be very helpful if you’ve lost motivation to exercise. Make an appointment on your calendar and set a reminder. Treat your exercise or activity like a very important meeting where canceling is not an option! You can also make this a re-occurring appointment so that it’s already on your calendar and therefore, you will not miss an opportunity to have a workout. Try this for three weeks or more consistently, and you will feel so accomplished.
#2: Pack Your Gym Bag
Make sure you are prepared for your workout sessions ahead of time otherwise you’ll have an excuse to skip the gym. Your bag should include workout clothes, socks, gym shoes, toiletries, a towel and music. Have your gym bag packed and ready to go on Monday morning. Starting your work-out sessions early in the week will help solidify your efforts for the entire week. As an alternative, keep a pair of gym shoes at work (or whatever equates as accessible) for a lunch time walk. You can walk up and down the stairwell, walk around the block, download a fitness app, or even rent a bike (if available in your local area).
#3: Upgrade Your Gear
Look good, feel great. Consider investing in some new fitness wear. Try some new looks and styles, making sure you feel supported and comfortable. When you are confident about how you look, nothing can stop you!
Music is also a powerful attitude adjuster. Find some upbeat, high energy songs that inspire you to move; music that motivates you to push harder during your workout. Next, find a few slow tempo or instrumental songs for your cool down and stretching time. Make sure you end your workout with breathing and stretching, as they help your mind and muscles recover. Create customized playlists that will keep you motivated and happy!
#4: Get a Support System
Find like-minded individuals who are serious about fitness and a healthy lifestyle. Use social media to find a workout buddy or fitness community. Then make a plan to meet and workout so that you both stay on track and hold each other accountable. Join a group online, check-in daily or weekly to share your progress. For instance, you can share motivational quotes, your favorite recipes, and great workout routines. This is a great way to get suggestions, positive feedback, and support from people who can relate to the hard work you are putting into your health.
#5: Create a Workout Plan
If you go to the gym with a plan, you will have a productive workout session. If you go to the gym without a plan, you are wasting precious time.
Decide where you want to dedicate your time and efforts. For instance, one day you can work on your upper body, lower body, back, abdominal muscles. On other days you can focus on cardio. Check out Pinterest for suggestions on exercises for different areas of your body. I also love finding fitness challenges there, too. Each day of the week select an area of focus, but don’t forget to take a few days to rest. It really helps to have a workout plan in place so you do not get bored and its keeps your body guessing what is next.
Follow these five simple suggestions and you will be back on track in no time. Be patient and take one step at a time so, that you are not overwhelmed. As time goes on, you will start to see progress, which will motivate you even more.
What do you do when you’ve lost motivation? Here at Progressive Health Center, we talk to a Health Coach to get back on track and learn new ways to live well. Are you interested in a FREE Health Coaching session? Please call 303-788-9399 for more information or to schedule today.
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