Do you know that person who is just so motivated to exercise? They seem to have this weird love of getting up and getting active and never miss a session. You may look at them and wonder how to get motivated to exercise and stay that way.
The truth is, everyone feels demotivated at some point. Everyone has those neverending days where the world seems out to make everything as difficult as possible, leaving you void of energy.
How to get motivated when you don’t feel motivated.
Feeling motivated is a powerful urge to take action because you feel passionate and excited about it. When you have something that makes you feel excited about doing it, of course, you are much more likely to do it. But what if that feeling just isn’t there today.
Stop waiting to feel motivated to exercise. Exercise is what makes you feel motivated.
Do it anyway.
Exercise is amazing because when you do it, lots of positive hormones and bodily responses happen, lifting your mood and also making you feel happier. Exercising on days when you are feeling low is will make you more motivated.
Don’t think, just do.
You are not alone in your loss of motivation. Even the most dedicated fitness freak will have those days. These are the days where you stop listening to your head. You roll through the motions and just go, no matter how you feel.
Easier said than done? Initially, yes. The key here is to form a habit and learn that the outcome is worth the process. This involves switching off your thoughts that are projecting a negative outcome and replacing them with the knowledge that you will feel better.
That person that always seems motivated isn’t. They are just experienced in knowing the outcome is great, if they get up and do it regardless of how they feel right now.
It is about living in each minute, without thinking about what comes next or how that will feel.
Set yourself up.
There are things you can do to make these days a bit easier. Setting yourself up to succeed can come down to a little advanced planning:
- Know your schedule. Find out when an exercise class is running and make sure you are free at that time. No excuses.
- Have your kit packed and ready to go. Place it by the front door so you can pick it up and go.
- Avoid sitting down or starting any other tasks that will get in the way.
- Commit yourself. Book the session or make arrangements with a friend. Knowing that you have made plans with others will motivate you more to follow through.
- Avoid thinking about reasons not to go. Get up and get to the location, and that’s all you need to think about right now.
Just starting out? Keep it simple
Exercise is about being more active. That’s it.
If you get up right now and go for a walk, you have done exercise. If you stand and crack out ten squats, push up’s, and crunches, you have exercised.
Busy day, smash out some squats while you wait for the kettle to boil.
It does not need to be complicated. You need nothing to be active and you have your body weight to work with.
Right now is the right time, you have everything you need so just get up on your feet and do it and keep doing that every day.