One thing all fitness enthusiasts and body builders face from time to time is lack of motivation. It takes staying power to get to the gym after work when you would rather go home and zone out in front of the boob tube. Of course you know that when you do work out it always makes you feel better, and sleep better, too.
Because of the benefits which exercise has for our physical and mental health alike, it’s important to stick with the program. That’s why you work out in the first place, isn’t it? So how can you stay motivated when you feel like you just can’t face going to the gym? Here are a few helpful tips to get you up and at ‘em!
Make Goals:
Setting and meeting goals is one of the best ways to keep at an exercise or weight training program. If you tell yourself “By next week, I want to be able to do X number of reps”, then you have something to work towards and will be much more likely to make it to the gym in pursuit of your goal.
Beware the Burn Out:
You don’t need to work out every day of the week. Your body will make more progress towards your goal with a little time off in between workouts. Three times a week works well for most, giving you a day off in between for a full recovery. This recovery time also reduces the risk of injuries. Working out too often, or feeling like you must be in the gym every single day can lead to burn out very fast. Take it from me, I’ve seen it happen many a time before.
About Progress:
Make sure to measure your progress from time to time. There is nothing to keep you motivated like knowing that your hard work is getting you somewhere. If you are trying to lose weight, weigh yourself once a week. If you’re trying to lose fat and build muscle, measure your BMI. If you’re just trying to build muscle, go ahead and measure your biceps. The excitement you’ll get from making progress will keep you on track with your fitness plan.
Next time you get in a rut or don’t feel like like facing the gym, try out these tips. Stick with it and remember, it’s Progress Not Perfection!