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It’s all too easy to give up on your fitness regime.  Tiredness, laziness,
another engagement or just the general ‘I can’t be bothered’ attitude means that all too many of us have a lack of motivation and give up on exercise completely, usually at the very beginning.

We’ve put together 4 simple ways to stay motivated and ensure that you stay healthy and happy throughout your fitness routine.

4 Simple Ways To Stay Motivated

1.     Make a schedule and stick to it

Actually make time for exercise in your diary.  If you write it in or put it on your computer or phone calendar, you’ll be much more likely to stick to it, the same as you would any other appointment.

Bonus tip – You wouldn’t cancel a dentist or doctor’s appointment at short notice would you, out of fear of being fined?  Impose fines on yourself for every time you miss your exercise slot.  Put the money in a jar and use it to fill your wardrobe with new clothes that you’ll be able to wear once you’ve gotten in shape.  You could even try the same tactic with rewarding yourself each time you go, call it a ‘new smaller jeans fund’ or something that you’d really like to buy but couldn’t before.

 

2.     Enlist a friend

Working out with a friend, whether it is going for a run together, hitting the gym or going to a class, can be a great motivator to stick to your fitness routine.  You will have someone else to encourage and give encouragement to and you’ll be more reluctant to cancel your plans as it will mean letting someone else, as well as yourself down.

It’s also a great time for you to see your friends and have a regular catch up – something that you might not get the chance to do between work, family and all of your other commitments.

 

3.     Set yourself goals

Embarking on a fitness routine or challenge can seem like a massive lifestyle change and therefore can put you off when you’ve barely started as the goal seems so far away.  Instead, set yourself smaller challenges that you can tick off as you work towards your overall goal such as ‘exercising 3 times in a week’, ‘run for 20 minutes without stopping’ ‘cycle on a harder level’.

You’ll earn satisfaction from completing your challenges which will spurn you to go on and it’s a great way of beating that lack of motivation in the early days.

 

4.     Look the Part

Just like going back to school or starting a new job, a new wardrobe can help boost your motivation for doing something greatly.  The same goes for your fitness routine.  Kit yourself out in some great, functional gym gear and you’ll be sure to want to give it a go, if only to show off your new kit.

With many flattering styles available to help give you a toned look before you’ve actually started toning up, new gym clothes can be fantastic for combatting that lack of motivation.

 

Whatever your reasons for starting a new fitness routine – be it a weight loss, fitness or general health goal, it’s important that you keep in mind why you’re doing it – reminding yourself of your goals and why you started in the first place will be a good way of combatting a lack of motivation and help keep you going when the times get tough.