Are you tired scrolling through your social media feeds and seeing “fitfluencers”, flexing their workouts? You may find yourself in a constant cycle of starting your fitness journey and then quitting it. What if I said that you can find and keep workout motivation by following three simple steps? Let’s take a look at how you can finally achieve your fitness goals.
Finding your “Big Why”, first and foremost, is essential. Imagine the life you would like to live in 10, 20, or 30 Years. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro together with your partner is it? Build a sustainable home by hand? Playing with your grandchildren on the floor or building a sustainable house by hand? Regular movement can help you achieve your dreams by building the strength, mobility and cardiovascular capacity required. Sharon Gam, PhD CSCS is an exercise physiologist, certified strength and conditioning coach. She says that it’s about finding your Big Why for becoming fitter and healthier over the long term.
Once you’ve set your long-term goals, it’s now time to create a SMART one. SMART stands as Specific, Measurable Achievable Relevant and Time-bound Goals. Get specific instead of vague goals such as “sign up for CrossFit” or “doing more yoga”. You can choose to research and select a specific competition or decide how many minutes of yoga per week you want. Be sure that your goal is measurable so you can track progress. Aim for a goal that is achievable, but not too low so you don’t challenge yourself. Make sure it’s relevant to “Big Why” and include a deadline to create a sense accountability and urgency.
Find a movement that you enjoy. People who exercise regularly have found an activity they enjoy. Try different things until you find what you enjoy. Try different classes on Youtube, sign up for a trial membership at boutique gyms or join your friends in their exercise routines. Once you have found an exercise that you enjoy, incorporate it into your routine. Later, you can round out your workout with other strength, flexibility, or cardiovascular exercises.
Why do we struggle to find motivation for exercise? We tend to focus more on the short-term pain than the long-term rewards. With these three steps you can change your mindset and make exercising a part of your daily life. Remember that it’s not only about looking good, but also about feeling good and living the life you desire. What’s holding you back? Find your “Big why”, set a SMART Goal, and discover an activity you love. Your future self will be grateful.
“Don’t just exercise to look good in the mirror; exercise for your life.”
