Fitness motivation follows action, not the other way around. I have found this to be true repeatedly, and I have come to rely on it.
When you start anything new, especially something challenging, you need to force yourself to do it in the beginning. For example, if you are starting a new exercise program and you’ve decided to do it at 5:00 am, but you’re used to getting up at 7:00 am, you’re going to have to force yourself to do it for a while.
Your fitness motivation will gradually increase as you successfully complete each day, week, and month. Soon, you’ll know that your fitness motivation will arise shortly after you get started. You will also look forward to the endorphins that are released in your body when you do vigorous exercise.
Endorphins are brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters that give you a feeling of well-being or euphoria. This state is often called the natural high. This is one of the cool benefits of being a fitness enthusiast. You don’t need to buy anything to get high. Your body provides an endless supply, naturally! And there is no hangover whatsoever. In fact, it’s the exact opposite!
Your fitness motivation will get a further boost when you start seeing some noticeable improvements when you look at your body in the mirror. This particular source of fitness motivation gets stronger as the appearance of your body improves. Your motivation comes from your desire to get more of the satisfaction you feel when you see yourself in a slender and toned body. When someone else notices your accomplishment, that’s icing on the non-fat cake.
The best way to consistently motivate yourself, especially at the start of your workout, is to visualize your body in the condition you want it to be. If you want to add some fire to your fitness motivation, create scenes in your mind of you walking confidently down the beach in your bathing suit, meeting up with an ex who dumped you, or undressing during an intimate activity with a lover. Fitness enthusiasts stay motivated because they have experienced the things I’ve just described.
I’ve been doing resistance training using machines and free weights for decades now. I just now calculated how long it had been, and I was amazed! It has provided me with a consistent body weight within about 5-15 pounds, good body tone, good definition, reliable strength, and self-confidence.
I started by joining a health club. With the help of a personal trainer, who was an employee of the club and charged me nothing, I learned how to use the machines and free weights properly. This training has been the key to my progress, training longevity, and ability to avoid injuries. Going to the club and seeing people who were working out passionately helped to establish my fitness motivation as well.
For many years now, I’ve been working out at home using a simple and inexpensive home gym that I built. If you’re interested in learning more, read my article “How to Build a Simple & Inexpensive Home Gym.”
The best technique that I discovered to get myself to get out of bed at 5:00 am or earlier to work out is to say to myself, “No excuses!” I found that my mind would sometimes be inundated with excuses on why I shouldn’t work out that particular day, or why I should sleep instead. To take control of this mental tennis match, I came up with my “no excuses” mantra, and it works…every time! It works because these two words leave no room for negotiation or debate.
A great way to keep your fitness motivation fired up during your workout is to listen to your favorite music. Music with a strong beat and inspiring lyrics has the greatest impact. A tiny portable FM stereo radio or MP3 player with a belt clip and headphones works best. This setup will allow you to play the music as loud as you want without disturbing anyone else. It also gives you convenient access to the controls.
If you haven’t been into fitness before, get on board! You’ll be glad you did. As you see the results, your motivation will increase.
To your health and fitness.