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“I know it’s important to workout, I just don’t want to do it.”
“I have started before, been consistent for 2–3 weeks, and then stopped again.”
“How can I get motivated to start working out?”
Lately I have been getting quite a few emails from readers asking me a variation of this common question: “How can I find the motivation to workout?” Maybe your excuse is time – “I just can’t squeeze it in”. Maybe it’s apathy – “I know I should, but I just don’t want to.” It might even be lack of knowledge – “I know I need to exercise regularly, I just don’t know how to do it successfully.” Would you believe all of those are actual sentences from readers’ emails that I have received in the last two weeks?! Most of us understand the importance of a good fitness program, but how do we go about implementing it successfully? How do you find the motivation to start? Once you’ve started, how do you stick with it for longer than two weeks?
Well today on Tone-and-Tighten.com I wanted to share with you one fail-proof tip that is sure to not only encourage you to start moving, but also ensure that you stick with it long enough to achieve the results you desire.
The one key that you have to know to increase your workout motivation and to stick with your exercise plan is this:
Your desired consequence has to outweigh any and every deterrent.
Let me say that again because it is the key behind everything else you’re going to read today – your desired consequence has to outweigh every possible deterrent. There are lots of reasons why you may feel like you need to workout. There are lots of reasons why you don’t. Let me see if I can help you get to the root of your individual problem and start making a change that will yield the greatest effect.
There are two sentences that can literally solve all of your motivation problems. I want you to fill in these blanks for me:
“I want to workout because ______.”
“Right now I don’t work out because ______.”
Now let’s explore these sentences in a little more detail and see if we can help you find the motivation you desire.
“I want to workout because”: There are numerous reasons why people have the desire to work out. A few of these include:
- Appearance – You simply want to look better. To wear what you want when you want and do it with confidence. Which brings me to my next point.
- Society – Unfortunately one of the most prominent reasons why people think they should workout is because society expects it. Everywhere you look online, on the TV, magazines, etc images are painted of “beautiful” people flaunting their “perfect” bodies. Unfortunately I’m telling you right now if you want to start a workout program to fit a mold that other people have built for you you will rarely be strong enough to help you make your change.
- Self-confidence – Big event coming up? Beach season on its way? Maybe your goal is to slim down and tone up to be able to meet these events with increased self-confidence. Maybe your motivation is to love the way you look as much as others around you already do. Confidence can be a powerful motivator.
- Feeling better – With increased fitness comes improved bone and joint health. Your heart and lungs function more efficiently, your weight drops, and your blood flow improves. All these things help joints to hurt less, muscles to perform better, and feeling healthier throughout your day.
- Health implications – With increased fitness comes decreased risk of heart disease, diabetes, pulmonary dysfunction, and stroke. You can enjoy lower blood pressure, healthier bones, joints, and muscles, and even live longer. If that doesn’t get you motivated I’m really not too sure what will!
- Healthy function – Occasionally I’ll have patients whose only goal in coming to rehab is to be able to play with their kids/grandkids. To be able to walk, run, crawl, jump, and climb as they learn and grow and explore. While I love working with these people, my heart does break for them. Had they not let themselves deteriorate (for lack of a better word) to this point in the first place they wouldn’t need my help to crawl their way out of it. Don’t ever take your health or even just your body’s capabilities for granted.
Alright so hopefully that gives you an idea of what I’m talking about. Your specific reasons why you want to workout are numberless and I’m 100% sure that I’ve covered at least done of those in the preceding section. So with all of those reasons and with all of those goals to get in shape, why don’t we? We understand it’s important… we want to make the best of ourselves and we have all these goals thought up – why don’t we make some changes and get out there and do it?! Well, let’s take a look at sentence #2…
“Right now I don’t workout because”: This one’s going to be tough; but mainly because the truth hurts. My goal with this section is not to frustrate or infuriate, but motivate and inspire. So why don’t you workout?
- No time – this is a big one. Putting on workout clothes, working out, showering, getting ready – I get it; it’s a big commitment in an already packed day. Solution: You can still get in a killer workout in not a lot of time! Check out these quick workouts that literally take less than 30 minutes! Or just increase your activity throughout your day – like in this post!
- No gym/no equipment – many people are under the misconception that they either have to go to the gym or go outside for a run to “workout”. So not true! Solution: You don’t need to go the gym and you don’t even need any equipment to get in a great workout. There’s a ton you can do from your own house that will help you slim down and tone up. Check out these workouts for some great ideas.
- I don’t know where to start – I get it – starting working out for the first time can be a scary thing. It can be overwhelming and intimidating not knowing where to start or not knowing what’s going to be best for you. Solution: Never fear! T&T to the rescue! I actually wrote an entire 8-week program that is specifically for beginners like you who know they need to start but lack the knowledge of where to do so. Check out more details here and don’t let the “I don’t know what to do’s” keep you from achieving your goals.
- It’s easier not to – Here we go. This one is probably the hardest one to tackle. I know I need to eat healthy, but I love cookies. I know I need to exercise/workout more but I like to sit on my couch and watch Netflix. The toughest thing about being fit and exercising regularly is this – it’s hard. It’s a much harder route. It’s the path of more resistance and our natural tendency is to lean away from that. Is it easier to sit on the couch than to go workout? Of course! Is fast food easier than cooking something healthy on your own? You bet! I would say of all the reasons people have for not exercising regularly this is probably the most common.
So what’s the solution to this one?
Solution: there is no solution.
What?!?! You heard me – I can’t show you a blog post or give you a workout plan that will overcome this problem. This problem is solved one way and one way only – you. YOU have to be the one to make the change. And this is where we come full circle to my opening paragraph – Your desired consequence HAS to outweigh any and every deterrent. Your desire to look better has to be stronger than Netflix. Your wanting to kick pre-diabetes has to be stronger than those delicious Oreos. Your desire to play with your kids and your grandkids has to push you off the couch, away from junk food, and into a healthier, more active life. Unfortunately I can’t take this step for you. This has to be a journey that is inspired and trodden and conquered by you. I’m here to help you every step of the way, but ultimately you’re the one who has to walk it.
So what are some of your deterrents? What are some of your goals? Finally – at what point will you finally let your goals overpower your deterrents? When they finally do – get ready – because it’s going to be one heck of a ride after that!
Looking for some workouts to help get you started down the right path?
You’ll love our “8-Week Beginner Workout Plan“!
Over 40 workouts, fitness tips, and healthy recipes to get you off on the right foot and stay there long enough to see the results you’re after! Check it out by clicking this link of the image below…
If you have any questions or comments you would like to make – I would love to hear from you! Leave them in a comment below or email me at Jared{at}ToneAndTightenFitness.com.
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Make it happen,
Jared
