Exercise has always been a do-it-yourself venture. No other person or machine can do it for you. Hence, it’s important to have those motivating factors that help you stick to your regime.
In the past 50 to 75 years, physical activity has become the exception rather than the rule, both at home and on the job. They flick a switch and machines do the hauling, lifting, pushing, and pulling for them.
However, people trying to lose weight know that weight gain will continue to happen, if they don’t take the necessary preventative steps.
Despite the momentum toward weight gain, you can stop it from happening, experts say, and there are plenty of good reasons to avoid excess pounds. Reasons that go beyond vanity or social appearance.
Here are five tips to help keep you motivated to exercise, and stay healthy for the rest of your life.
1. Have an explicit goal
A simple statement like, “I want to lose some weight,” is an ambiguous and indefinite statement. It will not motivate you in the least to start or continue exercising.
What is important is to be precise with your goals, such as “I want to lose 10 pounds by May 1st.” Envisage yourself, and what you will look like after reaching your desired weight. Doing this will help inspire you to stick with your regime, and might even help you exceed your goal.
2. Develop a strategy
A strong will alone won’t cut it. To lose weight and stay with it, your strategy must be comprised of both exercise and diet, not just one or the other.
3. Go for small wins
Don’t shoot for the moon right away. Write out small, attainable goals that you know you can hit every day. These could be certain sections of your run, or victories in the kitchen, such as having half of a serving of your favorite dessert, instead of a full one.
You could have the same mini-goals everyday, or mix it up and have different goals for each day of the week.
4. Track your results
Use a notebook or fitness app on your smartphone to keep track of your progress. This will inspire you to keep on doing what you have started. You could also have your gym partner keep notes for you, as having somebody to listen to your achievements is definitely a better prize than just achieving your goal alone.
In addition to that, just having a gym partner, or “cheerleader” in your corner will help your motivation exponentially.
5. Keep your timeline realistic
You didn’t earn that spare tire overnight, and you’re not going to lose it overnight, either. Try to be realistic with your goals. What do you plan to achieve in a month? In 6 months? In a year? Set-up milestones that go beyond your initial goal. These will help keep you on track.
The bottom line is that staying motivated to exercise entails a lot of hard work, which is contrary to what most people tend to think. The greatest success will not come by just starting a workout routine, or buying a new cardio machine, but by changing your entire lifestyle to help you achieve your goals.
* This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease including adhd & alzheimers.
