Even the most active individuals go through periods where it’s challenging to get up and moving. Don’t panic! Below, you’ll find five key tips for staying motivated with your exercise program.
Jumping Back on the Exercise Wagon
Get to Know Yourself Better.
I always ask my clients two questions at the beginning of their journey:
What have been your obstacles in the past?
Why is it going to be different this time around?
Once you identify past barriers, you can prepare and plan for how you will overcome them in the future. Set yourself up to succeed.
Staying on-track involves an enormous learning process. You will learn things about yourself such as your likes, dislikes, interests and inspirations. Maybe you learned that you need more variety in your routine or that you get bored walking on the treadmill. Maybe you think you would do better in a group environment, and that’s fine! No program is perfect, so stick with activities that give you joy.
Follow through with Your Plan
In my experience, clients who schedule their workouts in advance are more consistent with their exercise program. Life gets busy when you don’t plan ahead! If you are unable to work out at the same time each day, look ahead at your calendar each week and schedule your workouts that way. Treat your workouts with the same importance as a meeting or appointment.
Have a Plan B. Valid excuses come up such as getting held late at work or missing your carpool. What’s your backup plan? Have your trainer create a 20-minute workout plan to do at home. Sign-up for a personal training session online or pop in a quick workout DVD. It may not be your original plan, but you’re still sticking to your schedule. Something is better than nothing!
Track Your Goals
Once you’ve set your goals, I recommend frequently tracking your progress so that you follow through with them. Write your milestones down and reward yourself in a healthy way.
Remember that you may not see immediate results right away! We look at ourselves in the mirror daily, and a lot of times we get frustrated when we don’t see much change after our hard work. Try not to let this discourage you! If you don’t have access to body composition measurements, use cues like how your clothes are fitting and how your fitness level is increasing.
Reach Out to Others
You aren’t alone and there are numerous support communities available for you in case you need help. Examples include small group training, a weight-loss support group or an online training community.
Allowing others to hold you accountable is just as important as holding yourself accountable. It can be hard to accomplish things on your own sometimes. Allow your friends, family, trainers and coaches to help you succeed in this journey!
Forgive Yourself
Life is full of obstacles, and it’s okay when things get messy! Many of us struggle with the “all or nothing” mentality, but living a healthy lifestyle is not about doing things perfectly. It’s about knowing how to get back on-track when obstacles get in the way. Did vacation throw you off of your workout regimen? That’s okay. Forgive yourself and move forward with your program!
About the Author:
Jillian McAfee is a Personal Trainer and General Manager for Downsize Fitness in Illinois. Jillian also coaches individuals all across the country in an online program called Downsize@Home, powered through Helpouts by Google. She received her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Indiana University and is a Certified Personal Trainer through The American College of Sports Medicine. She has played a large role in many individuals’ weight loss journeys and hopes to do so for many years to come.
