If you want to work out but always feel as though life gets in the way, then you are truly not alone.
So many people are in the same situation as you are right now, but there are things that you can do to try and turn things around.
Here are some tips to keep working out, even when life gets in the way…
Find your reason why
The first thing that you need to do is find your reason why. Your reason for exercising is fundamental when it comes to your motivation. Society tends to promote exercise by focusing on short-term motivation, such as shame or guilt.
A lot of young people tend to go to the gym because they want to improve their appearance, but the problem with this is that these goals are just far too vague. You need to try and set actionable goals that mean something to you. If you can do this, then you will soon find that it is easier than ever for you to get the best result out of your new fitness routine. If you’re stuck as to which goals you want to set, then simply team up with a friend and ask them if they want to do a local fun run. That way you have a reason to train, someone to train with, and a true sense of motivation.
Goals that have deadlines are always better than goals that don’t, so keep that in mind. If you find it hard to set goals, then start with exercises. You might want to try and do 10 stiff leg deadlift exercises, at a certain weight for example.
Start slow
The danger that comes with spontaneous fitness motivation is that you may be tempted to jump in and do everything. You may try and change your diet, start working out and even stop drinking all at the same time. The issue with this is that you may find that you end up losing motivation, or that you simply become too tired to keep up with your new routine. If you aren’t in shape, then you have to remember that it’s going to take time to get back to normal.
Try and aim to go to the gym around once a week, or twice at most. Sure, you may be tempted to try and go multiple times but the issue with this is that you’ll get burnt out and this is the last thing you need. By giving yourself time, you can also help your body to recover, and this is essential if you are really pushing yourself.
You don’t actually have to love what you do
You don’t want to be doing things that you actively dislike, but at the same time, there’s not many people out there who love exercise. They love the feeling they get afterwards, and they love the idea of socialising with friends or getting outside, but if you talk to anyone, they will all tell you that the actual act of working out doesn’t do much for them.
If you want to help yourself here, then you need to try and focus on doing activities you’re not opposed to, but don’t be disheartened if you don’t feel that gym buzz just yet. When it becomes a part of your routine, and when you start seeing results, this will give you the buzz you’re looking for and it will also help you to stick with your new routine as well.
Be supportive
Individual motivation is just a small part of the big picture. Things like parenting, money, demands or even where you live can all be roadblocks that stop you from being as motivated as you could be. You may also find that you have to deal with things such as depression, tiredness, stress, work issues and more.
If you have a lot of support around you, then this will make it easier than ever for you to maintain your level of physical activity. If you live in a certain part of the country then doing outdoor activities may be more comfortable, when compared to someone else. To say that lack of motivation is the only reason behind people’s gym failure is not true at all. If you want to do the right thing here, then try and motivate others, and understand the reasons why they are struggling to workout. If you can advocate for them, then they will do the same for you.
This when combined with the support network you have at home, can mean the difference between you staying motivated and not.
Did these tips help to keep working out? Let us know.
Feature image credit: Allan Franca Carmo / Pexels
