While you already know its important to exercise there will comes days when the last thing you want to do is exercise. Putting on that tracksuit and heading to the gym becomes a struggle even though you know deep down its the right thing to do.
So what can you do?
Here's 11 tips to help start that motivation fire going again...
1 - Take It One Day At A Time - Even the longest journey or change in lifestyle all begins with a single step. While these small steps might not seem much if they're repeated over and over again momentum will start to build up. Take the example of pushing a car, the first couple of pushes are the hardest but once the wheels are turning it takes less effort to keep the pace up. Just promise yourself that you're only going to train just today, then say this to yourself the next day and the next day.
2 - Does Your Goal Excite You - Does losing weight excite you or are you just going through the motions? If a goal doesn't excite you, you'll never give it your full attention. Grab a pen and paper and write a list of what this weight loss will do you for you. Make a list of about 10-20 things that will change because you've lost that weight.
3 - Visualize Your Success - If you haven't been successful how can you get that feeling of accomplishment, easy visualize! Some people say they have a problem with visualizing but we all do it. If I said what would you do if you won the lottery, I bet you'd have dozens of images flash through your mind. Now take that power and picture how you'll feel and look in that slimmer future. If you're still having problems take your list from tip 2 and read through it for help, those answers you wrote should help put some great images in your mind.
4 - Get In A Team - While its sometimes easy to get inspired for a short while, for longer periods sometimes we need others to give us that added kick up the pants. Try to find like minded people who want to make a change in their lives and use them to inspire you. If you can't find anyone close by that you can rely on or support from, why not use the internet and weight loss forums or help. Or if this isn't for you, why not look in books or magazines for inspirational stories that help lift you up.
5 - Hold Back - It can be easy to throw yourself "Gung-ho" into your fitness at the beginning, but slowly over time you burn out and motivation fizzle's away. So why not hold that motivation in check, if you feel that you could exercise for an hour why not cut back 25% and exercise for three quarters of an hour. This way you know you've still got more in the tank for the next time, when maybe you'll give it a little bit more. This way you're going to increase in intensity as time goes on rather than do the opposite.
6 - Sleep More - Lack so sleep can take the zip out of anyone, so try to get your daily amount, then you'll be mentally fit and prepared for whats ahead.
7 - Organize Your Space - If you've got clothes thrown over the exercise bike and you constantly have to look for exercise clothes/equipment you need a de-clutter. Clear out a space thats solely yours for exercising. If you want you can also put some posters/motivation images around that you can look at as you workout. In short make your exercise space a happy place that you look forward to visiting.
8 - Set Goals And Deadlines - Having a target or goal can be a great way to inspire yourself. Pick something small that you want to achieve like losing those first 5 pounds! Now go out and get it and don't stop till you've achieved it, then move on to the next goal. Unfinished goals can be a drain and kill motivation, but build on those small gaols and you'll start to feel more positive that you can do it.
9 - Use Music - Music can be a great motivator when you're down. You could be in the worst mental form of your life but when your favorite song comes you can change in an instant. Burn a CD or load up your mp3 player with all those favorite tunes that make you want to get up and go.
10 - Get Outside - Theres something magical that a bit of fresh air and change of scenery can do for us. If you're not feeling like exercising just take a short walk to clear your mind and get the blood flowing. After 5- 10 minutes don't be surprised if like "Forest Gump" you want to keep on going.
11 - Use Past Failures To Succeed - Human beings are strange things we love to break rules and go against the grain sometimes. We're told not to do something and what want to do the opposite!
So, why not use this power for you, call up all those old images of past failure or people telling you you'll never succeed and use it against them. Think to yourself "I'll show them I can do it"...and then go out and do it!
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