If you’ve started an exercise routine before, you know the struggle of doing it regularly. The reasons behind the inconsistency are plenty: “I’m busy,” “I’m not feeling well today,” “I don’t have the time” or “I have plenty of time tomorrow.” No matter what the reason is, the result is always the same: you brush it off for another day or end up not doing it.
You’re not alone in the struggle. Many people want to get fit but lack the motivation to do so. Regular physical activity, however, is important in maintaining your health. So, whether you’re bored or fed up with your current routine, keep fighting by motivating yourself. After all, your body needs exercise! Who knows, with enough motivation, you might end up loving the workout and become a trainer with a Certificate 3 and 4 in fitness.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Let’s start with how you can motivate yourself to start working out regularly.
Why are You Unmotivated to Start Moving?
Addressing the barriers is the first step to motivating yourself to get up and get going. Although the basic reasons – boredom, tiredness and lack of time – sound simple, the real reasons behind these excuses may be a bit deeper.
First, some people consider exercise as an unfamiliar activity, aka something they never had to do before. It’s easier to lay down than figure out which workout is for you. This is especially true, especially if you have a busy schedule. At the end of the day, you don’t have the physical or mental capacity to finish your to-do list, let alone finish an exercise routine.
Second, many people prefer to spend their days working in front of their computer, catching up on social media on their phones and binge-watching shows on their TV. Exercise is out of the place of their sedentary lifestyle, which makes it more difficult to get into an active routine.
Finally, most people think exercise is hard. You’ve seen family, friends and other people struggling with their workout. When you picture yourself doing it, you just can’t. Your motivation to work out becomes lower if you also think exercise is boring.
These barriers, however, are keeping you from living your best life. Exercise isn’t just about moving your body; it’s about conditioning it to health. Instead of letting these mental roadblocks keep you from staying fit, get past them so you can develop new attitudes and the motivation to work out.
How To Motivate Yourself To Start Exercising
Set Your Goals
You don’t have to be a gym rat ASAP. Start with what you can.
List down simple goals then you can progress to long-term goals. Your goals have to be achievable and realistic. If your goals are too ambitious, you might get frustrated, which can hamper your motivation levels.
If you haven’t exercised in a while, try walking 10 minutes a day for seven days. It doesn’t look much but even short amounts of exercise are good for the health. Once you’ve gotten the hang of it, extend your walk to 30 minutes. If you want a long-term goal, aim for a 5K walk.
Exercise Even When You Don’t Feel Like It
One of the biggest struggles with workouts is starting the workout. Most of the time, you might not feel like getting up or doing anything. But think of it this way: after every run, walk or exercise, you’ll enjoy a huge post-exercise high. This high is the feeling of contentment and exhilaration that comes with knowing you accomplished much for your body.
Make Your Workouts Fun
If you’re easily bored with your workout, look for activities, exercises or sports that you enjoy. Go “crazy” with your routine so you’ll be interested in it. If you’re not enjoying your exercise plan, do something different. If you’re always playing sports (e.g. basketball, baseball or volleyball), mix it up by enrolling in a dancing class. Drop by your local health centre to see the exercise classes available (e.g. kickboxing, interval training or yoga).
If you want to breathe in some fresh air while you’re at it, why not take a walk or jog in your local park? Once you’re done with your workout, treat yourself to Ben and Jerry’s Chocolate Cherry Garcia (just this once!).
Give Your Workouts Meaning
For some people, exercise is THE only way to lose weight or achieve their dream body. Although there’s nothing wrong with seeing exercise as a means to an end, your workout needs a purpose to fully motivate you. Simply put, your workout should have value, regardless of whether you reach your fitness goals.
Motivating yourself to get up and exercise can be challenging, but once you figure out your barriers and how you can overcome them, you can easily make exercise a daily habit.
