Sometimes, external pressures can add up and make it difficult to stay motivated. This demotivation could strike in many areas, including your exercise. In order to stay motivated, we often try and fail to keep up with certain techniques. However, practice is what makes implementing these techniques succeed. We’re here with five ways to stay motivated, and continue your exercise routine no matter what is standing in your way!
Plan and Schedule
A simple, but effective way of forcing yourself to abide by your regimen is to plan and schedule. Plan ahead what days you want to work out. Schedule the time frame that you want to work out. You can start small, only working out around one hour a day. As you progress, you can block out more days. You can even plan ahead, and pick a time frame for you to progress on a specific day. Whatever fits your schedule, work with it and work out to your liking.
Do What Makes You Happiest
It goes without saying that if your exercise routine isn’t fun for you to do, you probably should stop doing it! Only partake in activities that feed into your motivation. Some of the most popular, and simple exercise regimens include walks/runs, sports, and games. Others prefer biking, hiking, and even more extreme sports. In order to do what makes you happiest, try out different things. You may find that you enjoy exercise more than you initially believed.
Socialize While You Exercise
Motivation can come from others, and this can help boost your self-esteem. In order to receive that motivation, you also have to give. This way, both you, your friend, or family member will be able to get excited about staying active. You don’t even need to bring a friend along, you can join an exercise group. Make new friends while working out, and motivate one another as a team!
Only Exercise in a Positive State of Mind
It’s unlikely that you will want to work out in a bad mood. Let’s say you haven’t eaten earlier in the day. That’s going to drive your mood down, and will make you less likely to enjoy your workout. In some ways, we need to also feed our mind, and be happy. Staying positive is a great way to feed your exercising mindset. Watch videos that make you happier. Spend time with others that make you happy. Partake in an activity that is both physically, and mentally stimulating. Staying in a good mood will bring you up and allow you to exercise.
Find the Source of Negativity, and Cut it Out
Then again, what if you don’t know how to stay positive? What if those activities and interactions don’t bring you the joy you wish it did? Cutting out negativity is easier said than done. However, negativity is a constant demotivator. It could be something external: such as a friend or family member who comments on your appearance or behavior. It could be internal, where you yourself comment on these factors. The bottom line is, if you can locate the source of your negative thinking, flip it so it’s positive thinking. It’s as simple as “I can’t do it” turning into “I can do it.” Talk to your doctor or a mental health physician if you struggle with this, and work with them to help give you that positive state of mind.
Now that you know how to stay motivated, the only thing left to do is try. Don’t be afraid of change, and don’t be afraid to get help from others in order to stay motivated. We hope that you’ve found these tips helpful at increasing your motivation.
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