Motivation is something we all deal with at one point or another in our lives. Whether it's a relationship, work, or school life, we all need motivation and inspiration to reach for the stars and live life to its fullest. For many people, getting into shape, losing weight, or changing their lifestyle is about self-improvement.
Have you ever started a fitness program only to quit? If so, you're not alone. Many people start fitness programs, but they may stop when they get bored, they don't enjoy it or results come too slowly. Here are seven tips to help with staying motivated.
Set goals
Start with simple goals and then progress to longer-range goals. Remember to make your goals realistic and achievable. For example, if you haven't exercised in a while, a short-term goal might be to walk 10 minutes a day five days a week. Even short amounts of exercise can have benefits. An intermediate goal might be to walk 30 minutes five days a week. A long-term goal might be to complete a 5K walk.
Make it fun
Find sports or activities that you enjoy, then vary the routine to keep it interesting. If you're not enjoying your workouts, try something different. Join a volleyball or softball league. Take a ballroom dancing class. Check out a health club or martial arts center. If you like to work out at home, look online for videos of many types of exercise classes, such as yoga, high-intensity interval training, or kickboxing.
Make physical activity part of your daily routine
If it's hard to find time for exercise, don't fall back on excuses. Schedule workouts as you would any other important activity. You can also slip into physical activity throughout the day. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, or park further away from the store. Take a walk during a break at work. If you work from home, stretch, do squats, lunges, or sit-ups. Walk your dog if you have one.
Reward yourself
After each exercise session, take a few minutes to savor the good feelings that exercise gives you. This type of internal reward can help you make a long-term commitment to regular exercise. External rewards can help too. When you reach a longer-range goal, treat yourself to a new pair of walking shoes or new tunes to enjoy while you exercise.
Have A Rest Day
Rest days are just as important as workouts. In fact, a successful fitness regimen isn't complete without rest days. Taking regular breaks allows your body to recover and repair. It's a critical part of progress, regardless of your fitness level or sport. You can also opt for taking supplements that can help relieve your sore muscles. Tart Cherry aims to help support joint comfort and muscle recovery. Polyphenols in tart cherries contain more antioxidants than any other food.
As you can see, there are many different things you can do to stay motivated. Try using a variety of hacks from this list so you do not get bored and always keep yourself excited. Add these tips to the ones that have inspired you, in order to discover what is most effective for you.