I am often asked how one stays motivated - to stay healthy, to workout, etc. This is a toughie because I am not one to distract you with flashing lights, fun music, fad classes, etc.
Your motivation to workout and to stay healthy can't come from a please-distract-me-from-what-I-am-doing strategy....it should come from that base-line, honest level of I-am-doing-this-because-I-know-I-will-feel-better-after.
When you don't feel like working out, that inner voice has to speak and say, "feeling like working out isn't part of the game - do it anyway". Then you just do it because you know you will be happy you did after.
This can apply to doing an actual workout - or to sticking to your meal plan - or choosing NOT to eat that extra dessert/serving of healthy food/etc.
Now...with that said if you need motivation in the actual workout area -- I always use the cardio interval class or mountain class for when I am not really feeling the workout thing. These workouts begin easy -- so you can warm up gradually - and then they get tough. Usually if you give yourself an extended warm-up you will come around to the workout. OR if you can - take a class at the gym that you really like - like hip/hop or spin or body pump or yoga or whatever.
Regardless - your motivation has to be rooted in your belief that living a healthier, more balanced life will result in you being healthier and more balanced. Here is the scrub....you have to really want it. If you don't really want to be healthier and more balanced.....then you have a completely different issue and will need a different approach.
Hang in there - being balanced takes work....but if you think about it, being unbalanced takes work too.
Posts
4 comments:
Once I figured out that it took as much energy NOT to work out (frustration, guilt, discouragement) as it took to work out (physical exertion and time), it just made more sense to spend the energy in a positive way.
great post, Paige.
Thanks!
Sticking to my meal plan is my biggest issue. Getting to the gym when I am not feeling like can also be a problem. Working out for me is not my biggest issue. Having a trainer has helped me tremendously make it to the gym and staying on track with the exercise.
Everyday with each meal and everything I may eat in-between meals is where I have to work on keeping my motivation up. Food is 80% the equation to a healthy lifestyle and weight. I am working hard at this.
Laurel - you said it! Your realization is one that so many people never make. It is impressive that you made it! That same perspective can be applied to many areas of your life with amazing results.I know it helps me quite a bit. THanks!
Hang in there Pamers! The same idea can be applied to the eating. It's basically delayed gratification; eat a certain food (or certain amount of food) now not because you will feel good immediately; do it because you know that later on you will feel good about that decision. I don't know if that makes sense...
Either way - you are not alone in your struggle. maybe you can fore-go your trainer for a week or two and get an appointment with a registered dietician?
Post a Comment