6 Tips To Help With Motivation

If you are having trouble beginning an exercise plan or following through, you are not alone. Despite our best intentions, many of us struggle getting out of the sedentary rut. As you already know, there is many great reasons to exercise. From improving your energy, mood, sleep, to weight loss, reducing anxiety, stress, and depression. Making exercise a habit requires the right mindset and a smart approach.

I have been Personal Trainer for 15 years and as you can imagine, I have heard every excuse there is. “I hate exercising”, “I am too busy”, “I am too tired”, “I am not athletic or fit enough”, “I am too old’, “I’m too fat” and one of my favourites ‘exercise is too painful”.

My answer to the above is, if you don’t enjoy the gym you don’t have to go. If you don’t enjoy running, don’t run! Instead, try to find an activity that you do enjoy as you will be more likely to stick with it.

We all roughly have the same amount of time in a day. It’s what you choose to do with your time. There’s no age gap when it comes to exercise, it’s about finding something you enjoy and keep your body moving. Exercise doesn’t have to hurt, again it’s about what you can do and enjoy. Exercise will increase your energy levels and make you feel less tired, improve your overall health.

My tips to achieving a regular exercise plan;

1. All or nothing attitude - You don’t have to spend hours in a gym or force yourself into painful activities. A little exercise is better than nothing. In fact, adding just modest amounts of physical activity to your weekly routine can have a profound effect on your mental and emotional health.
2. Be kind to yourself -  Don’t beat yourself up about your body, your current fitness level, or your supposed lack of willpower. All that will do is demotivate you. Instead, look at your past mistakes and unhealthy choices as opportunities to learn and grow.
3. Check your expectations - You didn’t get out of shape overnight, and you are not going to instantly transform your body either. Expecting too much, too soon only leads to frustration. Try not to be discouraged by what you can’t accomplish or how far you must go to reach your fitness goals. Instead of obsessing over results, focus on consistency. While the improvements in your mood and energy levels may happen quickly, the physical changes will come in time.
4. Start with small goals - A goal of exercising for 60 minutes a day, 6 times a week may sound good. But how likely are you to follow through? Start with realistic goals you know you can achieve. As you meet them, you will build self-confidence and momentum. Once you have established a routine, you can make your goals more challenging. 
5. Set a day and time - Decide on how many days you can realistically commit and whether you are more likely to stick with it in the morning, lunchtime or evening and stick with that time. If you don’t set a time, you are more likely to put it off until you have more time or energy and then put it off until the next day.
6. Set a reminder – Set your alarm or send yourself an email. You can also try having your active wear laid out on your bed or packed with you so you are ready to go straight after work.

You are much more likely to stick with an exercise program that is fun and rewarding. No amount of willpower is going to keep you going long-term with a workout you hate. Mix it up and find what you enjoy. 

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog.

Take control of your life, rock on!

Until next month, Evie xx

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