If you’ve signed up for my free “kit” (if you haven’t signed up yet, click here), you know that I asked you to let me know what your biggest struggles are surrounding fat loss and getting more fit. I’d say about 80% of you said that your biggest issue was motivation. I posted a short blog about this topic last week that you can check out here, but I also wanted to add a few tips that have helped me to get or stay motivated.
Motivation is fleeting. We all know that. If you’re like me, you’ve made resolutions in the past to do this or that, only to lose motivation a few weeks later. I think getting motivated is the easy part. It’s staying motivated takes work. Continually re-evaluating goals and checking in with yourself is important. Here are a 5 ways that I stay motivated…
1. I hire a trainer.
No, I’m not trying to solicit you here 😉 I actually hire a trainer when I need a kick in the butt. My husband thinks I’m crazy. He’ll say “but you know what to do”. Of course I KNOW what to do, it’s the actual DOING that gets challenging. Twice a year or so I’ll buy a 5 or 10 session package to get a new program and have someone tell ME what to do for a change! To me that’s money well spent.
2. I take a class.
I very rarely get to take classes because I’m typically training clients, or the one teaching the class, so when I get the chance to take someone else’s class, I jump at it! Try a new class, a new studio or a different instructor. Change is good and you might just find something that you’ll want to incorporate into your schedule!
3. Get a Fitbit.
Maybe you can’t get to a gym, or you can’t start a workout program right now. That’s fine! Wearing a fitbit, or a pedometer is a great tool to keep you motivated to MOVE. On days when I know I’m not going to get a workout in, I will challenge myself to get in as many steps as I can and I know I always move more when I’m wearing my fitbit, than when I don’t.
4. Read blogs or magazines or books about training and nutrition.
Try to find someone that YOU can relate to. I remember when I competed in my fitness competitions; all I read were magazines and blogs about competing. Now, I’m not the least bit interested in reading about someone who is dieting for a show, or following someone who posts pictures of their abs day in and day out. 5 years ago I would’ve been ALL over that, but now I’d rather read about other moms who value exercise and nutrition or women who drink wine and eat chocolate, or women who are trying to balance exercise and eating right with work and family. I’m sure as my world changes, the people who inspire me will also change, but that’s what I’m digging right now. Find someone who inspires you or someone you can relate to.
5. Surround yourself with people who will inspire and support you.
Share your fat loss goals with your family and friends so that they understand why you may pass on the bread at dinner. Join a run club for support and camaraderie on your long runs if you are training for a marathon. Subscribe to an online coaching group, like the one I’ll be starting in April, where you can get expert advice on how to eat and train to reach your goals, as well as group support from other women who are looking to do the same. I’m very grateful to have a lot of support from friends and family for both my fitness and business goals and I know that if it wasn’t for their continued support I would definitely have given up at some point or another.
I hope that you find these tips that I use helpful! Take what you want, and leave the rest. Remember, like diet and exercise, one size doesn’t fit all!