We all need a little help to get motivated sometimes! Life is hard and we are tired at the end of the day. Who wants to work out? Well, we know we must so we can live a healthy life and look great! Here are some tips to help you keep motivated!
Have a plan at all times.
Try to schedule your workouts the day before or, better yet, the whole week. I know this is hard when you have a busy life, but without at least a loose plan you will find it difficult to be consistent, which can lead to failure.
Don’t procrastinate.
The earlier in the day that you work out, the more time you have throughout the day to focus on your family, work or yourself without constantly thinking, “I need to exercise.” We’ve all been there, putting off exercising until finally we’re too tired and can’t be bothered. I could kick myself for wasting so much time procrastinating! If you just do it, it’s over before you know it!
Focus on that fabulous post-sweat-session feeling.
Think of how good you’re going to feel after your workout and how much energy it will give you for the rest of the day. Remember you always finish a workout feeling better than you did when you started (and you can’t say that about many things in life). Repeat that to yourself when your motivation lags or energy wanes. This always gets me going as I know I will feel great and it’s done for the day.
Good things come in small packages.
There may be days when you can fit in only one six-minute segment’s worth of exercise. Go for it! Don’t blow it off because you think it’s not worth it. Everything adds up. It’s like tossing a small handful of change into a jar every night. In a few weeks and months, those little bits of money add up. The same is true for little bits of exercise. Every calorie burned and every fiber stimulated is getting you one step closer to your goal and the hot body that will be yours. Think of the big picture! Tiny steps will get you there.
Be patient.
I know how impatient you can be with yourself when you’re trying to slim down. You want it to happen as soon as possible and feel bummed out when it doesn’t. But from my experience, I know that the more you stay focused on the overall goal of total weight loss, the easier it is to accept that your abs aren’t turning fab as quickly as you’d like. Stick with a plan and the weight will come off.
Look on the bright side.
Celebrate your positive efforts and don’t get frustrated. When you feel like you’re not getting anywhere, take a look at an old photo or an old pair of pants that you were wearing at your heaviest. It’s empowering to see how much weight and how many inches you have lost.
Be realistic.
Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day. Muscle weighs heavier than fat so stop looking at the scale and measure by your clothes. Numbers on the scale mean nothing. I’d rather look good in clothes, wouldn’t you?
Stay optimistic.
Focus on what you do have and not what you don’t. We all have set backs, think of them as learning blocks to make you stronger to fight the next one.
Have a support system.
On your own, it’s too easy to get distracted when the going gets tough. Everyone needs a team of people to gently guide them through the highs and lows. It will also make you feel accountable to someone besides yourself. Tell your family, coworkers, and
close friends that you’re joining Team Mallett (see my web site for details). You may even find someone to join with you. The more people who are out there rooting for you, the more you will not want to disappoint them. Go tell the world!
About the Author:
Tracey Mallett (www.TraceyMallett.com) is an internationally-recognized certified personal trainer and sports nutritionist. She is the author of Sexy in 6: Sculpt Your Body with the 6 Minute Quick Blast Workout. Tracey is the creator and star of the “3-In-1 Pregnancy System,” for pre- and post-natal mothers. Her newest videos are “Renew You” and “Super Body BootCamp.” A proud mother of two, Tracey, now lives in Los Angeles.
