There aren’t many people who exercise regularly. The reason for not doing exercise is the lack of motivation.
There is nothing that pushes them enough to start exercising. Fortunately, there are some very useful ways which you can use to motivate yourself to become more active. The good news is that you can do it in just 10 steps.
1. Surround yourself with fitness-oriented people
If you want to be successful at not only starting but staying active over time, you definitely need to have friends that share this same goal with you. Having a training partner is one of the best ways to get yourself the best motivation, someone with whom you can discuss the good and the bad and understands you fully.
2. You’ll look better
Most people will pretty much do anything to become more attractive and more desirable. The positive thing is that you do not have to force yourself to potentially dangerous plastic surgery to get the job done. With a strong will and a little patience, you can literally reshape your entire body via exercise.
3. Think long term health benefits
Your appearance is a huge motivating factor, but your health must be an even bigger one. The thing with health is that we can’t see it. It is hidden, and so in a very visual and superficial society such as our current one, it becomes secondary to looks.
4. Set a goal
Always have something to work towards, and every time you reach your goal, create a new one. You will not only be amazed at the amount of motivation this creates, but you will surprise yourself at how much you can achieve that you never thought it’s possible before.
5. Celebrate
Celebrate every success, no matter how small it may seem. Every fulfilled goal is a huge step in the right direction. Don’t allow yourself to think that even the smallest success isn’t valuable. It really is, and so are you!
6. Have fun
Remember that exercising can also be fun. Don’t just put your head down and plow through the work outs. Discipline is a good, but you need to let yourself play now and again too. Find activity you enjoy. Play basketball, soccer, racquetball, jump in a pile of leaves, wrestle with your dog, run, swim, whatever, but have some fun.
7. Search out inspiration
Find your motivation in the success of others. Read articles and blogs and watch videos from people who achieved their goals. Feed off their motivation, their encouragement and their excitement.
8. Start small
You don’t have run a marathon or to climb Everest right away. If you set goals too high, it becomes easier to lose hope and give up too soon. Begin with a small goal that you can achieve. Once you do, move on to something bigger.
9. Use your imagination
People have a great gift of creation that allows them to dream up new and impossible things. Use the power of your imagination to imagine yourself succeeding, how you will look and feel it. Our brains don’t distinguish something imagined or read from reality. If you convince yourself of your success, you will be more likely to achieve it.
10. Forgive yourself
Motivation comes and goes in waves. Don’t beat yourself up if you lose it for some time. Forgive yourself for not eating as well as you had hoped, not going to the gym, or not reaching your goal and then move on. Keep following the advice above, focus on the positive things, and motivation will come back to you soon.