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How to motivate yourself?

Motivation
Training Plans
Health
28.05.2019
 

How do you motivate yourself, and most importantly, how do you maintain that motivation? This is a question that sooner or later everyone who sets out to achieve their dreams—a healthy body or a beautiful figure—asks themselves. Below, you'll find a few tips that will ease your path to success:

ActivLab runner in headphones

Focus on specifics

Overly general slogans won't get you very far. The more specific your goal, the easier it will be to hold yourself accountable. Simply telling yourself you want to eat healthily won't achieve much in the long run. For example, commit to eating 5 servings of fruit and vegetables a day from today. This way, you'll be able to monitor whether or not you're sticking to your resolution.

A plan is the basis

Want to exercise 5 days a week, 30 minutes a day? Great! Create a weekly/monthly plan and post it somewhere visible (like your fridge or a corkboard). Mark off each evening whether you've completed your workout. If everything goes according to plan, you'll surely be encouraged to continue. Remember, nothing boosts our motivation like knowing that what we're doing is paying off.

Don't wait until later

Feeling inspired to change? Do you have the enthusiasm and energy to fight for your dreams? Perfect! Use your positive attitude. Your motivation is at an all-time high right now, so strike while the iron is hot!

Take small steps towards your goal

It's worth dreaming of running a marathon, but let's be honest – if regular training hasn't been a part of your lifestyle before, don't rush into it. Remember the second point – a plan is key. Create a training schedule and stick to it! On the first day, exercise for 10 minutes, on the second day 15 minutes, on the third 20 minutes, and gradually increase the duration and intensity of your workouts. If you set the bar too high from the start, you can easily get discouraged and give up prematurely. Give yourself time to get in your desired shape and take small steps towards your goal.

Trigger a wave of good habits

Remember that exercise won't do you much good if you don't pay attention to other aspects of your life—your mental health, your diet, and your rest. Imagine sweating it out at the gym, then spending half the evening searching the fridge for products that leave much to be desired—your enthusiasm and dedication are wasted. That's why it's so important to set a wave of good habits in motion. You'll soon find it easy to make more and more changes in your life.

ActivLab runner

Surround yourself with people who inspire you

It's undeniable that the internet has opened up enormous opportunities for us. We can observe, admire, and be inspired by people around the world. Choose someone who moves you, someone who resonates with you. Someone with extensive knowledge and the ability to share experiences. Visit Instagram and Facebook profiles and look for valuable content. Be inspired by the stories of ordinary people, of which there are many, and follow the example of how they transformed their lives. Join numerous support groups, where you're sure to be greeted with tons of warm, encouraging words.

Cheat day is ok

To keep your motivation strong, allow yourself a "cheat day" once a week – a day without training or dieting. This is especially important if you want the changes you're making to stick with you for the long haul . Remember, your transformation should be enjoyable, but if you treat a healthy diet and training like a punishment, they'll never become a part of your life.

Remember that just taking up the fight is already a success

Many people fear failure and sacrifice, and never attempt a lifestyle change. Success is the desire and will to fight. Seize the moments when you feel motivated and let them carry you. Don't be discouraged if things don't work out right away. Maintaining high motivation is difficult, so don't be afraid to take risks and just keep trying.