Staying motivated and inspired to maintain your healthy lifestyle can sometimes be difficult. Especially if you’re doing it alone or getting discouraged. People tend to quit when they make unrealistic goals and don’t get to these specific goals in time.
Here are a few tips to stay motivated and inspired.
Don’t make unrealistic goals.
You aren’t going to lose 10 pounds in one week. Maybe not even in a whole month. Make small, realistic goals. Aim for 2 pounds a week. If you aren’t a person who cares for weight scales, aim for a notch down on your belt. If you’re trying to gain muscle, aim to lose a small perctentage of body fat each week.
Take before and after pictures.
Don’t rely on the weight scale to show how much you’ve improved. I learned this the hard way. I would focus so much of my attention on the weight scale. When the number I wanted to pop up didn’t, I would get extremely discouraged. Then I would go into the kitchen and have a binge attack. I thought in my head, ‘I worked this hard for this long and the number didn’t lower at all? What’s the point then?’ This was also back when I only ate healthy and exercised for the appearence benefits.
Don’t weigh yourself everyday.
Or don’t weigh yourself at all. The weight scale doesn’t show true progress and you might drive yourself nuts by weighing yourself every hour. I’ve known plenty of people to gain plenty of weight in all muscle. Remember, muscle weighs more than fat.
Make a dream board.
Post pictures up of people who inspire you and what kind of body you want. Remember every body is different and you will never look exactly the way other people do. Your body is your own. Simply strive to be the best you can be. Live up to your potential. Post pictures of motivational quotes that inspire you.
Find a workout partner.
I’ve stated this tip a couple times. Nothing is better than having someone on your side. I find it hardest to workout on Saturdays. My best friend always motivates me to workout with her on Saturday and do a workout class. I’m expected to show up and she always makes sure I’m there.
I know people have days when they simply don’t want to workout.
Don’t think about not wanting to. Stop thinking about it altogether. Just show up to the gym, park, or wherever you workout. Don’t let your mind give you the chance to change your mind into not doing what you need to do. Just show up and get it done. 100% of the time you will be happy afterwards that you showed up and got it done. Workout in the morning if you need to so you won’t allow yourself to make an excuse to not workout later on in the day.
The best thing that has worked for me is to create a goal then maintain tunnel vision until it is complete. There are way too many distractions in this day and age that can knock you off track. Additionally like you recommend I make small milestones to keep me motivated throughout my journey.
That is a good tool to use as well. I find myself getting off track from time to time and need as much as I can to keep my on track. Thank you.