Motivation is a very broad topic and usually a very subjective one. It is in a close correlation with your goal. When it comes to training and staying on track with your fitness regimen, most people who have been leading an active lifestyle for a longer time will give you a pretty simple answer – create habits.
Having a regimen is indeed that – a sequence of habits.
I can confirm that myself – it gets easier over time because training, as well as proper nutrition, become an established part of your day and there’s no room for questioning it.
Creating those habits takes time (as with any other habits for that matter) and the road to it isn’t always smooth.
There are multiple things to keep in mind when you want to make sure that you are staying on track with your plan and here is my list of the key factors for that:
1. Setting a specific goal
Without a concrete goal in front of you, it’s easy to fall off the road and lose the purpose of why you started in the first place. There are a few things to keep in mind when deciding on your goal.
First, keep it realistic. Yes – it needs to be challenging, but aiming for something that is simply unattainable, only sets you up for failure and frustration.
Second, make it measurable. Make sure that at a certain point in time you can measure your success and see if you are slacking or not.
2. Keep a healthy mind
In order for you to be able to push your body and improve your performance, you need to create harmony between your body and your mind – a healthy mind in a healthy body.
Way too often the connection between the two gets neglected, but let me tell you – it’s one of the deciding factors for your success.
What can you do to keep your mind sharp and ready to concentrate? There are a few really simple steps. First and I can’t stress that enough – get enough sleep.
Sleep is king and it plays a huge role in all of the processes going on in your body. That’s the time when your body reboots and heals. Enough sleep also means faster recovery.
Second, stay hydrated. There’s plenty said on the topic already, but still, let me say it once again – drinking water boosts your metabolism rates, keeps your skin glowing, keeps your mind fresh.
Third, hardly a surprise again – nutrition. That’s a very broad topic on its own again, but wholesome and nutritional food is not only good for your body but your mind as well. So keep that on point.
3. Avoid falling into a routine with your training plan
Doing the same exercises in the same patterns over and over, and over again brings you nothing. The body has the amazing ability to adapt to whatever challenge you throw at it and sooner or later you will find yourself plateauing.
In other words – the progress that you strive for would stagnate. And this is a major motivation killer that you want to avoid.
Change up your program every 3 to 4 weeks. Do not hesitate to try out new movements, new exercises.
Push yourself, get curious about the amazing things your body can do, when you work for it. Keep surprising yourself and put no limits to your goals.
Start thinking of your workout not as a punishment, but as a celebration of what your body can perform. As in many other aspects of life – diversity is key.
4. Finding a gym partner
It’s been scientifically proven that making a commitment to another person and having someone else relying on you is a major incentive to take action.
So why not use that in your favor. Find someone with similar goals as yours and keep each other accountable for your discipline.
That being said, make sure to not give out the responsibility in someone else’s hands – know that you are the only one accountable for your own success or failure.
5. Know that one size doesn’t fit all
Whatever your goal is – find the proper means to achieve it. Some of us like biking, running, regular bodybuilding, Crossfit, etc.
Find what suits you best and what brings you joy, because there is absolutely no chance to make a sustainable change in your lifestyle if you dread your exercise plan.
So make sure that’s not the case. After all, the whole shift to a healthy lifestyle is meant to make you happier, not just healthier.
