Ten Ways to Stay Motivated
1) Re-Visit Your Past
Think back to the last time you began an exercise program--did you reach goal or did you fail? If you're heading in the
same direction as previous years, you've got yourself a pattern. Break it by figuring out what went wrong last time. Was
the exercise too intense? Was the diet too strict? Modify what you're doing so that you can sustain your eating and
exercise program for life.
2) Get Real
Most people fail at their fitness goals because they're waiting for something spectacular to happen. Know when to expect
the spectacular? When you least expect it. You may be frustrated that your body hasn't changed, but that's no reason to
quit. Remember that your body is on it's own schedule. If you're burning more calories than you eat, you'll lose weight
but you can't control when it happens.
3) Get Pumped
Maybe it'll be difficult to replicate the excitement you felt when you initially began your quest for a healthy life. But,
you can get a little more fired up by going back to your original goal and remembering why you set it in the first place.
What are you trying to accomplish? Remind yourself that what you do today has everything to do with where you'll be in 6
months.
4) Reward Yourself
It's surprisingly easy to get excited about exercise and it's called shopping. Buy something that motivates you--a heart
rate monitor or a pedometer to track your workouts. Get an MP3 player and load it up with your favorite tunes. Splurge a
little on some high quality shorts or a snazzy wind jacket. Sometimes that's all it takes to get back in your groove.
5) Exhaust Every Avenue
Before you quit, try everything you can to stay on track. Sign on with a personal trainer, get a workout buddy, join a fitness
group, join a gym...try it all. If you've done that and you still want to quit, make it a decision. Don't drift away from
exercise without acknowledging it, say it aloud, 'I'm Quitting!' Saying those words may just steer you back to the gym--who
wants to be a quitter?
6) Stop Waiting for a Miracle
Some people think if they exercise long enough, they'll wake up one day and suddenly LOVE exercising and eating healthy. While
it does get easier, you'll probably never be ecstatic about those 5 a.m. jogs. If you're waiting for a shining moment of
excitement, it ain't gonna happen. Stop waiting for it-- you have to MAKE it happen and you'll have to do it all over again
tomorrow.
7) Find Your Inspiration
Every day is different. What motivated you yesterday may not work today, so sift through what inspires you to find that one
thing that will get you out the door. It may be pants you want to fit into or competing with your friend (he's working
out--you don't want to fall behind, do you?). Work through all the reasons you should workout until you find the one that
works today.
8) Open Your Mind
Being bored is the perfect time to try something new. You'll be more willing to try things you may have dismissed because they
didn't fit within your definition of exercise. It could be bellydancing, a latin dance class or that spinning class at the
gym. Or try something more mind/body like Pilates or yoga. If what you're doing isn't working, it's time to find something
that will.
9) Track Your Progress
One simple way to stay motivated is to look back on how far you've come. Keeping a simple calendar of the workouts you've
done gives you something tangible you can happily flip through, adding up all the days you exercised. Plus, knowing you have
to write your accomplishments down may give you that extra push you need to get moving.
10) Have Consequences
If your child doesn't do his homework, there are consequences. The same should be true of sticking with exercise. If you don't
do your workouts, there should be a consequence. Have someone hold you accountable or take away something you enjoy until you
get back on track. Always have consequences to your actions. If you don't, what's to stop you from quitting?
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