Best intentions can falter and fail, such that three weeks into your new workout regimen, you can suddenly find yourself without the motivation or will to keep plugging away. It’s a well known fact that the vast majority of people who start working out fail to keep doing so, and for one reason or another simply fail to keep going. The excuses are infinite: too tired, too busy, too bored, too sore, too embarrassed, too disheartened. A breaking point is reached, and inevitably people return to the couch. How can you stay motivated, and prevent yourself from becoming one of those?
One of the best ways is to get all your friends and family involved. Not that they have to go to the gym with you, but rather, if you tell them all about your commitment, they’ll help keep you on track. It’s a combination of peer pressure and motivation. On one hand, if you’ve made a declaration to those you care about most about your desire to accomplish a goal, the odds are that you’ll feel rotten if you break it and fail. You won’t want to explain to everybody why you quit. On the other hand having them encourage and support you can really keep you going-friends and family can stoke your fires and give you pep talks when you need it most.
Another excellent way to keep on track is to get a workout buddy. Somebody whom you’re committed to working out with, whether it’s just calling each other before going to the gym, or a partner you do the entire workout with. The best setup is when you rely on each other, because that sense of responsibility will keep you going. If you take turns picking each other up to go to the gym, you’ll be less likely to quit if you have a friend waiting for you. Also, making this journey with somebody means having a friend to commiserate with over the agonies, and to encourage as your both improve.
One of the key ways to stay on track is set down realistic goals. If you just want to ‘get fit’ or ‘lose weight’, odds are you’ll be less motivated and determined. If, on the other hand, you say that you want to be able to run three miles in three months time, or bench 200lbs in two months time, or lose 15 lbs by July, you’ll have something that you can measure your progress against. Having realistic, short term goals can be a major motivator.
Long term goals are very important too. Say you lose those 15lbs-then what? Just flounder around and put them back on? You need to link your desire to exercise with some major goal. If you want to climb a mountain, or write a novel, or participate more in your family life, anything fundamental can serve, and linking your short term goals to it can help you keep on track. Say you want to be able to pick up your kids-picturing their faces can help you get up when all you want to do is open another bag of chips.
