What's My Motivation?

From time to time even the most dedicated fitness enthusiast needs a kick start. The discipline required to maintain a consistently healthy lifestyle goes beyond just the enjoyment of training and eating right. Because of jobs, family obligations and just everyday living, sometimes fitness can seem more like a bother than a bargain. While these feelings are often fleeting, how we cope in these moments will often be the difference between continuing our fitness quest or giving up and reverting back to an unhealthy lifestyle. The following are a few tips that should help you overcome those hurdles and keep training.

1. Rededicate Yourself - Review what motivated you to begin training and commit to following through with whatever promise you made to yourself. Hold yourself accountable to fulfill that promise. Remind yourself of why you exercise.
2. Find a Training Partner - Choose someone who is just as passionate about training as you are. Make sure it is someone who will support your goals and hold you accountable to train.
3. Set New Goals - Reassess where you are in your fitness evolution and continue to challenge yourself to reach higher heights. Pushing the bar and challenging yourself can re-energize you and give your training the kick start that it needs.
4. Spice It Up - Try new activities. Try interval sprints instead of a straight run. Take a class at your gym. Trying new activities will help you stay motivated and will help you develop other skills.
5. Buy New Clothes - It may sound strange but new workout gear can be a motivator. As the old adage goes, look good and feel good.
6. Sign Up for a Race - Signing up for a race or triathlon will motivate you to train.
7. Reward Yourself - Let's face it, we are all a little vain. Take pride in the accomplishments that you have made in your training and reward yourself accordingly. A massage, a night out, a extra dessert, whatever you want. Remember, it's a treat for a job well done.

These are just a few tip to help you cope with the inevitable moments when you don't want to exercise. Remember this is a marathon not a sprint. Even if you have to take a break, make it brief and restart you program as soon as possible. Thank you for your ear and keep reading!