HOW TO GENERATE MOTIVATION FOR FITNESS
It can be difficult at times to generate motivation for fitness. We humans are complex. We know something is bad for us and we still do it, we can know something is good for us and not! Understanding the importance of exercise should assist as part of your motivation. If there’s anything we do know, it’s that regularly attending the gym has countless health benefits for your body. This includes better sleep and an increase in positive emotion
Suggestions on how you can generate motivation for fitness include but are not limited to:
MEASURE YOUR PROGRESS
Writing down your goals is imperative. You must know what you’re striving for. If you wish to lose a stone or try a new exercise, find what excites you and sink your teeth into it!
MAKE IT A ROUTINE
by attending the gym by routine and sticking to a schedule, your body will adjust to this timeframe and be used to working out at that time. Say you work out 3 times a week, all at 6pm after work with a rest day in between.
CONSIDER WORKING WITH A COACH OR TRAINER
We all need help in one way or another and incorporating a coach into your workout schedule could see you make that change that you just haven’t found the right motivation for. The confidence the guidance and support can give you will also contribute to your enjoyment and motivation to stick to healthy habits outside of the gym.
An AF Coach is someone who will support you and hold you accountable. If you’d like to find out more, speak to a member of the team next time you’re in the gym.
DO WHAT YOU ENJOY
Finding an exercise that you enjoy is a key part of getting the most out of the gym. Enjoying an exercise allows you to get further immersed in the workout. Whether you prefer a cardio session on the treadmill, or you want to hit the weights, exercise doesn’t have to be a drag! Make it something you look forward to.
GO FOR THE RIGHT REASON
It’s important to understand and know why you are going to the gym, and that this reason is a strong, compelling motivation that can withstand the rise of negative thoughts. When exercise is all about the way you look, and you fall short of your expectations a few times, you end up quitting because the motivation isn’t strong enough and visuals are really hard to benchmark.
Instead of vague, superficial goals, setting specific, smaller goals first will help you measure your progress and feel a sense of accomplishment along the way. For example “squat my body weight”, or “do one full pushup” are tangible, easily measurable and allow you to build on them once achieved.
REWARD YOUR EFFORTS
You deserve to celebrate your achievements! Attaching a reward to finishing an activity, like indulging in your favourite show when you get home or treating yourself to something delicious increases the chances of cementing that activity as part of your weekly routine.
As part of your goals, have clear, tangible rewards planned in advance for reaching each milestone.
THINK POSITIVELY
Say you miss a session at the gym, instead of negative internal thoughts or swearing at yourself mentally, try switching this perspective to a positive affirmation. ‘I will go tomorrow’, ‘I’ll ensure my next meal is healthy’. This turns what could be an emotional response, potentially leading you further off your path, or you stop, collect your thoughts, and remind yourself of your ‘why’.
FIND YOUR PEOPLE
Surrounding yourself with people who also want the best for themselves is a great way to generate motivation for fitness. Not only are you pumped for the workout, but you’ll also be with a supportive community that wants to see you improve. This builds your confidence and expands your social network, all while getting fit. Being able to learn from others on the same journey as you is inspiring and helps to build a wider understanding of health and fitness.