We get it. Those 10,000 steps aren't going to walk themselves.
When you've resolved to move more, the hardest part of maintaining your fitness goals is staying motivated. You won't see great results unless you consistently exercise. Finding ways to make movement a regular part of a daily routine will help you on your fitness journey.
Wondering how to stay motivated to work out?
Try these five tips for fitness motivation:
1. Prepare Your Workout Outfit
When you are starting a new exercise regime, invest in a new pair of shoes or a new workout outfit. If you feel comfortable and put-together when you get dressed for your workout, you're more likely to do it.
If you plan to exercise in the morning, lay out your clothes and shoes the night before. The fewer decisions you have to make before you exercise, the more likely you'll continue with a daily habit.
2. Check It off Your List
You'll gain a sense of accomplishment by checking your daily workout off your to-do list. Consulting a daily list of healthy habits, like breaking a sweat or practicing yoga, will keep you on track. Add your workout to your calendar on your smartphone, and set pop-up notifications to remind you of your fitness plans. Or, try downloading an app that helps you keep track of a running total of how many days in a row you move. This helps with consistency and allows you to focus on the fitness journey rather than the results.
3. Create a Mini-Gym at Home
If you find yourself making excuses about being too busy to go to the gym, consider investing in exercise equipment at home. If you don't have to travel to work out, you'll have one less excuse to do it. You don't need a lot of space to add a machine. While having a bench and weights is helpful, a treadmill or elliptical machine is effective to get you moving when you're short on time. When the machine is in your house, you'll only need 30 minutes to an hour a day to make a big difference in your health in the long run.
4.Try Incorporating Other Habits
Another good way to stay motivated to work out is to make it fun. If you have a TV or Netflix series you're following, you can use technology to enjoy it while you work out.
Expert tip: Matrix consoles can provide entertainment as a simple way to encourage you to exercise. Plus, this technology can also monitor your heart rate and calorie burn so you can see the results of your efforts.
5. Reward Yourself
With time, your exercise habit will come naturally. But as you're building up to that, add in some rewards for your good work. Scheduling a massage, a new haircut, or a relaxing yoga class can give you a reason to continue exercising every day. Tip: Try to avoid food rewards. Exercise shouldn't be viewed as a punishment for big meals or a reason to eat treats. It should be a celebration of what your body can accomplish.
Are you ready to Get Motivated? Let's do this!
