Workout Motivation
By JJ Confalone
What Motivates Me To Workout
How do we find the motivation to exercise. At the end of the day when that big fluffy couch seems to be calling your name and nothing looks more appealing, what is it that keeps us on track and motivated?
The question came up today how do I motivate the individual and I started thinking about how do I motivate myself. Everyone is different and everyone needs motivation served to them on a different platter. What motivates one doesn't necessarily motivates the next. Some people need constant encouragement, others need a kick in the ass while some need to be told specifically what to do. I personally like so many others need the challenge and the goal. For years it was easy for me when I was wrestling, I needed to keep a certain weight and I always had to stay fit and lean. Now I have to find other ways to keep myself motivated and trust me, I know sometimes it's hard.
There are literally hundreds of different ways to motivate yourself to exercise and I will give you a few examples of what has worked for me. Even I struggle sometimes to keep going but the most effective way to keep motivated for me is having a workout partner. Having that buddy on the same page as you challenging you to push hard and keep going always motivates me. I have had some great workout partners in the past and I miss training with them.
Writing down my program and keeping track of it is also a great method for me. I track my results and week by week I check to see my improvements, and hey what better motivation is there then seeing results.
Caloric expenditure is one that has worked for me in the past as well. I know that you read tons of weight loss articles and they say don't count calories. Well how are you going to get the proper amount of calories you need and burn the proper amount without keeping track. Knowing what I need to burn in the day pushes me that extra little bit or keeps me on track so I don't expend to much.
Simple enjoyment out of exercise and having fun will keep anyone going. I wish I could workout with everyone I train all day everyday. If it wasn't for the fact that it takes away my concentration on the individual I would love to work out with them all. Having fun doing a group or bootcamp class has always been motivating for me. Lately I have been riding my new mountain bike and I love it. Doing something that keeps you moving while you are having fun can't be bad for you.
Magazines and the models inside have been an inspiration in the past for me. Sure Photoshop works some wonders and they are usually a couple days out from contest time but hey working hard to be that fit and having a goal is great motivation.
Internet articles, blogs, books any type of information and reading material is interesting for me and gets me to try new things or methods and different exercises. Sometimes reading what others have done and their success stories are very inspirational.
Setting goals and when you reach them reward yourself. It's always nice to get to a goal and it's even nicer to know that you are getting something for your hard work. I like to get some sort of little reward for every goal I achieve. Set your goals and set your rewards and get them often.
Keeping my "lean clothes" around makes me work hard to fit into them and want to look good. With looking good comes feeling good and having those outfits I feel stellar in keeps me in track.
Stress relief is a great motivator for me. Some days I need to blow off some steam and putting some Metallica on my iPod a just tearing it up in the gym really clears my mind and drains the stress from my body and mind.
Clearing my head while I have been riding my bike has worked great as well. Again it's stress relief buy it really gives me time to think about other things and maybe just take in some scenery.
Back in the wrestling days having a trainer or a coach around to push me helped wonders. I always tell my clients that even I would love to have a personal trainer for the motivation.
I like to keep pictures around of myself from when I have competed and seeing myself ripped let's me know that that guy is still in there and it is possible to be like that again. Also taking the before picture motivates me to get to my goal. Nothing feels better then looking in the mirror and seeing yourself in great shape and comparing it to where you were.
A couple other motivators that may work for you could be signing up for a 5 or 10 km race, not feeling bad from missing workouts, extending your life expectancy and being able to run and play with your grand kids one day. Weighing yourself and keep measurements. Not every day but once a week, trust me as you see the numbers going down you will be motivated.
However you chose to motivate yourself whether it be from taking those measurements, logging your workouts or reading motivational quotes, the feeling you get once you have reached a goal and people are noticing is priceless. Make and set your goals so they are achievable and realistic. You will reach them as long as you work at it and there is no better reward then feeling great and looking great and having others notice.
What Motivates you? I'd love to know...
Be Safe and Enjoy your Workouts
JJ Confalone
http://www.howsgym.com
http://www.iconhealth.ca
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