8 Tips on Staying Motivated
1. Set goals. These don’t have to be big goals, and they don’t have to be long-term goals, either.
ex: “I’m going to eat breakfast every day this week.” , “I’m going to drink an extra 2 glasses of water tomorrow.” , “I’m going to go to the gym for 20 minutes tomorrow.”
2. Make physical activity a part of your every day routine. Skip the elevator and take the stairs. Ride your bike for 25 minutes. Walk your dog an extra lap around the neighborhood. Whatever it is, however long, it matters.
3. Buy yourself new workout clothes/sneakers. Nothing motivates me more than a new workout clothes. I lost 5lbs and rewarded myself with a new sports bra. It’s the small things in life that keep us going sometimes.
4. Make it fun. If you’re not enjoying yourself while working out then what’s the point? Do what you love and what makes you happy. Instead of running a mile on a treadmill, play ultimate frisbee with some friends, or join a game of pick up basket ball. If you’re bored with your regular routine, change it up and try something new.
5. Make a vision board. Vision boards don’t work for everyone, but I know quite a few people who have found great success with a vision board. (And vision boards aren’t just for fitness, they can be for just about anything.) Essentially, you make a collage of whatever goal it is you’re trying to achieve and you put where you can see it every day. If you’re trying to eat healthy, make a vision board of fruits and veggies and hang it on the fridge. If you’re trying to go to the gym more often, make a board of workout clothes, sneakers, weights, and other workout equipment and put it on your mirror or somewhere in your bedroom. For more help with vision boards, check out these links
6. Write your goals down. If you want to lose 5lbs, write it down. If you want to go down 4 jean sizes, write it down. If you want to do 10 push ups without any rests in between, write it down. No goal is too small or too insignificant. Write it all down. A lot of people forget the small things. For instance, drinking water - it’s not something most people consciously think about, but if you write it down (on paper, set an alarm on your phone, etc.) you’re more likely to do it. Science proves that writing things down actually increases chances of completing whatever task it is you’ve written.
7. Don’t let the scale discourage you. If you know me, you know I’m not a fan of numbers on the scale. They don’t accurately reflect progress and that can sometimes be discouraging. Focus less on the number you see on the scale, and focus more on the reflection you see in the mirror. You’ll notice the progress more if you avoid looking at the scale.
8. Be patient. Losing weight takes time. Actually, almost everything takes time. Nothing happens over night. If you set small goals, and make a conscious effort to live a healthier lifestyle, you will see results, they just might not be right away. So be patient with yourself and don’t get discouraged. Let it motivate you more, instead. If you’re not happy, don’t quit - work harder.
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