Many of us have set out with the goal of exercising regularly as we recognize its multitude of mental and physical benefits. But being active isn’t just a valuable tool for weight management; It also promotes overall well-being in so many ways.
The best results come from a consistent lifestyle that combines a balanced diet with the right amount of physical activity.
We’ll share tips on how to find the motivation to exercise, even when you’d rather stay in bed, and how to maintain that drive once you start seeing results.
11 Strategies to Stay Consistent in the Gym
A Change in Perspective Is Needed
Commitment, effort, sweat — it’s all part of the famous saying, “No pain, no gain.” Unfortunately, the idea that losing weight requires suffering prevails.
People often view achieving physical and aesthetic goals as a penance, a path of obstacles and hardships, rather than a gift that everyone can (and should) grant themselves.
Starting Strong Doesn’t Always Equal Results
There are two yearly golden moments for gyms and sports clubs: fall and the beginning of the new year. Many people start exercising after their summer vacations, but some hold on until Christmas and then get a wave of motivation right after New Year’s.
In both cases, driven by good intentions to get in shape, people tend to dive headfirst into the workout game. You buy all the necessary workout gear and schedule a strict training program, often coupled with a rigid and restrictive diet.
But let’s be honest, the seeds of failure are already planted at this stage…
Staying Motivated Beyond Initial Enthusiasm
The first few weeks are idyllic — your body aches everywhere, but breaking the promise you made to yourself isn’t even a consideration. However, as time passes, something inevitably happens, causing the specter of quitting to loom even over the best intentions.
From working out four times a week, it dwindles to three, then two, until every excuse becomes a good reason to skip or postpone your exercise. Excluding real obstacles that force you to miss a workout, it’s crucial not to lose motivation and always seek new incentives to keep it high.
It’s Not About What Burns More Calories; It’s About What You Enjoy
Despite brainstorming the most convincing reasons and countless ways to stay motivated, one factor consistently prevails: doing what you genuinely enjoy.
If the chosen physical activity isn’t right for you, find another one! Maybe you’re inclined towards swimming, so sign up at the local pool. Do you love running? Then hit the track! Whether it’s aerobics, the gym, spinning, or dance, the choice is yours.
Selecting an activity based on pleasure, not obligation, is crucial for its success. If you discover that what you thought was your ideal sport doesn’t bring satisfaction, don’t give up; Try something else!
Focus on Macro Goals
Let go of the quest for immediate results, whether it’s single-ingredient diets promising miraculous weight loss or treatments claiming to work wonders on cellulite, gravity, and who knows, maybe even global warming!
Instead of wanting everything right away and risking a massive letdown, set reasonable and achievable macro goals. Consider the amount of time you can and want to dedicate to training when forming these objectives.
The result of this small equation, macro-goals = time and effort, will provide excellent reasons to keep exercising.
Step by Step
Once you’ve defined your macro goals, a sort of ultimate destination, to avoid losing the desire to exercise every day, set weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly micro-goals based on your chosen activity.
Monitoring each small improvement is essential for achieving your final goal, which takes months (or years) of training and building good habits.
Measure Progress and Reward Yourself
What you’ve already achieved is both a milestone and a starting point for what’s yet to come. To track this data effectively, keep records of your workouts and objectives in terms of time, weight, consistency, and how you feel. Afterward, bask in your achievements.
Everyone has their way of rewarding themselves. For instance, if your goal is weight loss, there’s nothing more satisfying than buying a pair of jeans in a smaller size or dusting off an outfit that hasn’t fit in years.
Share Your Workouts
Sharing your goals, achievements, and results publicly with friends, family, and your entire social media community on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram can help you find people who will undoubtedly support, motivate, and encourage you to stay committed — even when you feel like giving up!
Find a Workout Group
If the idea of exercising alone seems dull, consider doing it with someone. Having a workout buddy, or better yet, being part of a community of individuals with a shared interest in a particular sport, can make a significant difference in your fitness journey.
Have Fun!
Boredom is motivation’s worst enemy because it extinguishes enthusiasm. Whether you’re working out in the gym or swimming, taking a spinning or boxing class, running or cycling, the essential thing is to do it with the conviction that the time spent training is quality time worth enjoying.
Accept Off Days
Everyone has off days when they feel tired, demotivated, and tired. The best way to overcome these days is to let them pass without guilt or regret.
If you miss a workout or deviate from your diet, remember that skipping a day or indulging in a little treat before stepping back into your routine is a sign of great mental strength and self-awareness. Simply give yourself some time, but don’t lose sight of your goals.
And as Scarlett O’Hara said, “After all, tomorrow is another day!”
**Victoria Beckham Never Skips a Workout, Even on a Super Yacht Sailing the Amalfi Coast**
This article first appeared on grazia.it — Author: Cristina Piccinotti
