How do I stay motivated?
Q: Summer is over, and it’s hard to stay focused on working out because I don’t have to worry about wearing a bathing suit and it’s too easy to be lazy. Soon daylight-saving time will kick in, and the shorter days are downright depressing. This is a big problem for me, because each year I gain weight and get out of shape in the fall because I find it hard to stay motivated to work out. Have you ever experienced this before? How do I stay motivated to stay in shape? I am tired of promising myself that I won’t get out of shape in the winter only to fail and experience the disappointment all over again.
A: I think everyone has experienced the frustration or disappointment of failing to reach a goal, whether it’s staying in shape or getting a promotion at work, but it’s not always whether you reach your goal that will determine whether you’ll eventually be successful. It’s how you react to failure that will decide where you will go from there.
Set goals
When confronted with a task, it’s important to set small, attainable goals that are realistic and can be accomplished in a reasonable amount of time. Once you reach your first goal, re-evaluate and set a new goal. For example, maybe your first goal will be to be consistent with your workouts during the month of September, and then in October you might decide to drop an additional 2 pounds. Remember, little goals add up to big accomplishments and help guide you in the right direction.
Make a plan
I strongly believe lack of planning is one of the biggest reasons people fail to reach their fitness goals. Let’s face it, if you were building a house, you wouldn’t start without first getting a set of blueprints, so don’t expect to get results from your workouts without making a plan for success. For example, if time is an issue, make an express workout that is more intense but takes less time. If you’re bored with your old routine, freshen it up with some new exercises and a different approach.
Pick a fitness role model
A great way to stay on the right path is to hang out with the right people. If you are truly interested in living a fitness lifestyle, it makes sense to find friends who have the same interests and understand the commitment of staying in shape. In fact, finding a good training partner could greatly increase your chances of success, because you won’t want to disappoint someone who depends on you to show up to work out. As the saying goes, “If you hang out with chickens you’re going to cluck, and if you hang out with eagles you’re going to fly.” Picking someone who has a lot of knowledge about fitness can be like going to college and learning how to stay in shape for life.
Stay positive
It’s important to understand that attitude has everything to do with being successful. There will be times in life that won’t always go your way. If you have a bad week and eat more than usual or miss workouts, don’t give up; just jump right back on track and you won’t miss a beat.
Remember, everyone has trouble getting motivated now and then, but if you refuse to give up, you will eventually reach your goals.
