STAYING MOTIVATED membership…check! New shoes…check! Fresh workout gear…check! We all start out with the best of intentions. This time we mean it. But what do we do when all that “newness” wears off and we’re left feeling, once again, bored and unmotivated with our exercise routine? Here are three ways to stay motivated in your workout…
Gym
Just Do It! No matter how driven you felt the first day of your new workout, that feeling often fades. First, it’s helpful to be aware that these emotions are common and inevitable at different stages along the fitness journey. We must not have unrealistic expectations that each workout is going to be filled with excitement and energy. Getting and staying fit is hard work and is a commitment worth fighting for. You’ve heard it before… “Nothing worth anything comes Kelly Lewis, CPT easy.” Fitness is no exception. If you stop and think about it, often things we hold most dear are the most work. Hitting a fitness or weight-loss plateau can be so difficult and frustrating! At times like this, you must remind yourself what you are fighting for…your health, your self-image, and in some cases, your life. Dig deep…Push through…and JUST DO IT!
Switch It Up! Are you bored in a stale routine? Try switching things up a bit. Don’t make this change more complicated than it needs to be. It isn’t necessary to spend an hour doing cardio and an hour on weights every day to get fit. Work smarter. One of the best tools in exercise is your own body weight; think in terms of pushups, squats, lunges, etc… Try combining bursts of intense cardio exercise with strength-training moves back to back. I want to share with you one of my favorite drills that I use to challenge my clients. It’s called a “tabata.” A “tabata” is a type of high-intensity interval training that follows a specific format. It is 20 seconds of very high-intensity exercise followed by 10 seconds of rest for 8 rounds. One “tabata” lasts 4 minutes. Exercises that could be used in a “tabata” are jumping jacks, push-ups or “burpees.” Your choice of exercise depends on your fitness level. Try putting several “tabatas” together for a short but intense, awesome workout. Now go ahead and SWITCH IT UP!
Picture It! Nothing is more motivating than seeing results. Whether it’s for the first time or after a plateau, nothing beats starting to feel strong, healthy and energetic again. Visualize yourself where you want to be in 3, 6, or 12 months from now. Visit that mental picture often, especially during those times when it feels difficult to stay motivated. Commit each day to staying focused, so when your hard work pays off you can look back and say, “I did it!” PICTURE IT…you’re on your way to a stronger, fitter, and healthier you…now, that is MOTIVATING!
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WomanCare 114 Charlois Boulevard Winston-Salem, NC 5175 Old Clemmons School Road Clemmons, NC
September Issue 2013 • 33