Let's reignite your motivation
Let’s talk about something we all struggle with at some point: losing motivation to work out. Life gets busy, stress piles up, and sometimes the last thing you want to do is hit the gym. Don’t worry, everyone goes through this at some point and if we are all honest with ourselves, the cold weather and dreary days don’t help! The best news is you can absolutely regain your drive to stay active and healthy – even better, summer is just around the corner.
If you've lost your workout mojo, here are some practical ways to relight that fire and get back to looking after yourself and your health!
1. Revisit Your “Why”
Sometimes we lose motivation because we've forgotten why we started working out in the first place. Maybe you wanted to lose weight, gain strength, improve mental health, or simply feel more confident in your own skin. Your motivation may have slipped because you may have an injury, broken your routine because of a holiday, increased demand at work or home or you may simply be run down and you’ve let things slide.
You need to reconnect with your original reason and work out if it is a true driver for you. Things change and you may have other reasons to look after your health. It may be that you wanted to lose weight originally but things have shifted and you now want to be fit and strong enough to keep up with the kids. Weight loss may still be a goal but it may not be your key motivator.
As your WHY evolves, it’s worth writing down, adjusting for change, visualising the end goal, and reminding yourself daily of why you want to stay consistent.
For some, a vision board can make a huge difference is staying motivated! If you are struggling to keep your eyes on the prize, maybe you should give it a go. Whether it’s a physical board or a digital one, fill it with inspiring quotes, images, and your fitness goals. Place it where you’ll see it every day—your fridge, phone background, or even in your workout space.
2. Set Realistic, Short-Term Goals
Sometimes we get overwhelmed because we set goals that seem too far away. Sure, aiming to lose 20 kilos or run a marathon is awesome, but breaking that goal down into smaller, bite-sized chunks can make it feel more achievable. Short-term goals are like stepping stones toward that bigger picture. Think about goals that suit you personally and you are more likely to achieve them.
3. Work Out with a Friend
Working out with a buddy is one of the best ways to stay motivated. You’re less likely to skip a session if someone is counting on you to show up. Plus, exercising with a friend makes the experience more enjoyable, and you can keep each other accountable! There’s nothing better than having a good laugh while getting fit.
If you don’t have anyone who wants to train with you, don’t let that be the end of your health and fitness dreams. Join a class and you will get to know plenty of people who share your goals and may be your perfect training buddy. There's a built-in community that can help keep you accountable, and you might make some new friends along the way!
4. Reward Yourself
Who doesn’t love a nice treat? Whether it’s rewarding yourself with a new workout outfit, a massage or maybe a manicure as you hit your realistic goals, rewards can be a great motivator in sticking to your fitness routine. When you tie your goals to tangible rewards, it gives you something extra to work toward.
5. Track Your Progress
Seeing tangible evidence of your improvement can be a huge motivator! Whether you're gaining strength, losing inches, or improving your stamina, keeping track of your progress helps keep you motivated to continue.
The easy way to do this is to take progress photos, measurements, or note down your workout accomplishments, like running faster or lifting heavier. This will give you concrete proof that your hard work is paying off, even when you feel like you're not seeing results. There’s nothing like seeing the change to super charge your motivation!
6. Make Workouts Enjoyable
If you're dreading every training session, it might be time to reassess what you're doing. Exercise should be something you enjoy (most of the time), not something you force yourself through. There is absolutely no way you will stay motivated if you are absolutely hating what you do so make sure you choose something that sparks some joy.
7. Be Kind to Yourself
It’s easy to fall into the trap of being overly critical when you’re not feeling motivated. But self-compassion is key to long-term success. Remember that it’s okay to have off days, and no one is perfect 100% of the time. What matters is that you keep going.
Understand that expecting perfection is going to be a demotivator. The road to fitness, weight loss and good health is not linear. There will be ups and downs so remember to celebrate the wins and recognise that the downs are but a blip. Pick yourself up, remind yourself just how far you’ve already come and get going again - you’ll be reaping the rewards again in no time.
It isn’t always easy but rebooting your motivation using the above tips is worth your time and effort. There is nothing better than feeling fitter and stronger and the better you feel, the easier it is stay motivated. Keep showing up for yourself, and before you know it, you’ll be right back on track. You’ve got this and I’m right here to support you!