You’ve made a promise to yourself. Things are going to change! You’ve renewed your gym membership, got yourself a new pair of cool kicks and spent over $200 on healthy groceries and supplements. Guns blazing, ready to go! Then, less than 10 days later you lose your vim and vigor and sticking to your new health plan seems like a laborious chore. Before you’ve even worked in those hot new kicks you throw in the towel.
I’ve been guilty of this more than a few times. I could list a ton of excuses as to why I have given up on a new training schedule or food plan, but that’s all they would be is excuses.
Staying motivated and keeping the fire alive is important to achieve success in all areas of your life.
Here’s my Fab Five that helps keep me motivated and my head in the game:
1. The “Why”
Write it down! Keep in in your wallet or tape it next to your bathroom mirror so you see it every day.
Be clear on your reason for wanting to lose ten pounds, or training for a marathon.
Your “why” should be of greater value and serve a greater purpose than fitting into those new skinny jeans.
For example, over the years, my “why” has matured from “looking fantastic naked” to “having boundless energy and optimum health to realize all my life’s goals and be of better service to my family and community.”
2. Identify your barriers and develop solutions
What are your current barriers to achieving the body of your dreams?
Do you normally snack while watching television? Try reading a good book to relax instead of watching television – it’s a lot more difficult to snack while reading, unless you like getting grease and crumbs on your pages.
If you think lack of time is your major barrier you must learn to make time. Remember, no one can take care of you better than yourself.
3. Prioritize
Optimum health should be a priority for absolutely everyone. Make “appointments” with yourself for workouts, and treat these appointments as you would any other commitment you make. Would you blow off an important business meeting just because you didn’t “feel like it”?? I don’t think so.
Also, remember the 80:20 rule. Eighty percent of how you look and feel is dependent on what you consume, the other twenty is genetics and exercise.
So, in our hectic busy lives, if you’re ever faced with the decision to either skimp on the workout or skimp on a lean healthy meal – chose the workout! Focusing on nutrition is more important than most people realize.
4. Strength in Numbers
Remember the saying “You are the average of the five people you associate with most.”? Think about the people you spend your time with. Do they encourage you to achieve your goals?
No matter how you slice it who you associate with has a huge impact on your success.
Joining a group exercise, dance glass or running/walking group is one way to get to know people who value being fit an healthy.
There is great value in hiring a personal trainer or coach, particularly for those who are new to a gym or workout routine and may feel a bit intimidated.
5. Celebrate your “small” successes
Did you get yourself to the gym today? – celebrate!
Did you manage to go the entire day without any sugar? -celebrate!
Each day choose one simple thing such as drinking more water and congratulate yourself for achieving this mini-goal.
Celebrate by mentally acknowledging these achievements; keeping a daily journal is great way to do this.
Celebrating in this way will break down the seemingly huge end-goal into fun bite size goals and keeps you positively focused.
Have patience. They say it takes 21 days to override old habits – that’s 21 consecutive days of focused re-programming. Make your goals fun and achievable and most of all be kind to yourself.
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