Staying healthy and being active is not easy. If it was, everyone would do it and no one would ever complain about the extra pounds or other weight related problems they face. Did you know that there are some mental walls that actually prevent you from doing what is important for you? After a long day at work, you want to de-stress and in the process, you forget that keeping healthy and staying fit is as important as all the other things in life.
If you are able to break down these mental walls, you will be able to stay fit and healthy. Getting the motivation to workout is not easy. In fact, it is a struggle for many people. But with these little tips and tricks, you can find the motivation to lead a healthier and a more active lifestyle. Here’s a look at how you can motivate yourself to workout.
Set goals
When you have decided to become more active, setting fitness goals can really help you become motivated to do what you have thought of. It can be hard to make lifestyle changes, but if you are able to set realistic and well planned goals, you will be able to keep yourself focused and motivated. However, before you start a new fitness program, it is important to see a doctor and get a medical check up done. Some workout goals can include walking 30 min every day, workout 4 times a week, completing a yoga challenge, running 2 km 3 times a week, etc. After you have set your goals, you will need to find a way how to accomplish them, and forget about quitting.
Reward yourself
Planning rewards for yourself when you accomplish your goals can really help to keep you motivated. For example, if your goal is to exercise 5 times a weeks, you can reward yourself with a new pair of running shoes after 3 months of following your exercise routine. Maybe there is something that you have been wanting for yourself so you can reward yourself with that after you accomplish a particular goal, for example an iPhone 6. For the next goal, you can reward yourself with something else and this will help you keep going for long.
Track your progress
Keeping a track of what you have achieved so far will help you keep yourself motivated. For example, if your goal is to lose 15 pounds of weight, you can track your progress weekly. Suppose you lose 2 pounds every week. By keeping a record of how much you have lost so far and how much more you need to lose, you will stick to your plan and have the motivation to workout even more. You can also make pictures of your body every week or month and compare. If you start seeing results you would be even more motivated to keep going.
Make it fun
Many people don’t like the idea of exercising or can easily get bored. These are very powerful reasons why some have not been able to meet their fitness goals, but what if you could exercise because it is fun and not just for the sake of doing it it? You can make exercise fun by doing what you like doing. Don’t run because other people do. Play a game instead. Join a club where you can play some games or sports with the other members. Try dancing, yoga, kickboxing or zumba that is fun and will keep you excited and at the same time will help you become fit and healthy. Another exciting option is to buy a motion control gaming platform like Xbox 360 Kinect, Wii or PlayStation Move and play some fun games by yourself or with friends and family.