Exercise can be a struggle, but it’s important to keep at it. Here are some tips to help you stay motivated.
The CDC recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week. Various activities count, including walking, jogging, swimming, dancing, riding a bike or doing yoga.
Getting regular exercise boosts your energy and mood. It can also lower your risk for chronic diseases and improve your overall health.
Make it a habit.
Regular exercise is a vital part of maintaining good health and it boosts energy levels. It can also help you to feel better about yourself and reduce the risk of chronic illness.
You don’t have to go to the gym every day, but even just a few trips per week are enough to reap the benefits. You can also get more active throughout the day, taking the stairs instead of the elevator or revving up your household chores.
If you’re finding it hard to stay motivated, try setting short term and long term goals. This could be something as simple as wanting to do more pull-ups, improve your 5K time or just feeling better about yourself. It can help to put these goals somewhere you can see them – like on your phone or a post it note. Also try to reward yourself with something physical or mental after your workout, this can give you an external push to stick with it.
Make it fun.
It’s easier to stick with an exercise regimen if you enjoy the activities you’re doing. Team sports, group workout classes, and social media fitness apps are just a few ways you can turn your routine into a fun experience.
You can also try listening to music or podcasts while exercising, which can make the time go by more quickly, and even improve your mood while you work up a sweat. If you find yourself getting bored with your exercise, try switching up your activities so that you’re using different muscle groups and working on different challenges.
Even the most committed exercise fanatics encounter obstacles from time to time, and they may not feel motivated to continue their workout routine. This is normal, but it’s important to remember that a temporary lack of motivation doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve failed. If you refocus, it’s likely that you’ll soon return to a more regular exercise routine. This is good for you, your body, and your health.
Make it a competition.
We all have busy schedules, and while it’s important to take a day off once in awhile, exercise shouldn’t be relegated to the back burner. Creating a schedule for yourself or committing to a workout with a friend can help you stay accountable and motivated to keep going.
Enlisting a fitness buddy, joining a gym or taking a virtual class, or participating in team sports are other ways to increase motivation and accountability. It’s also been found that healthy competition (like comparing your performance with others in a fitness app or with friends in person) is another effective motivator.
Finally, a positive attitude goes a long way in keeping you motivated. Even the most avid runners and lifters will have times when they don’t feel like working out, but remind yourself that it’s a temporary setback and that you can get right back on track. It’s also important to keep in mind that it doesn’t take very long for exercise to start to reap benefits.
Make it a priority.
One of the best ways to stay motivated is by making exercise a priority. You should schedule your workouts the same way you would any other appointment. This will prevent you from putting it off or procrastinating when life gets busy.
Even if you don’t enjoy every minute of your workout, remember that it is still doing your body and brain good. Boosted energy levels, improved moods and reduced anxiety are just some of the physical benefits you can expect from regular exercise.
In addition, exercise has been shown to improve memory, reduce skeletal muscle tension and decrease the risk of chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and some cancers. So, don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone and try something new. Just be sure to consult with a doctor before starting a new fitness regimen, especially if you have any chronic health or injury issues. They can help you set a safe and effective routine that works for your unique needs.