Working out can often feel quite tedious, and, if you want fitness to really be a part of your regular routine, you need to find some motivation. From logging your workout on a dedicated social networking site to coming up with an exciting reward for reaching a particular fitness goal, these tips will help you to find and renew your sense of motivation.
Log Your Workouts on Social Media
Logging your workouts on social media networks will give you an extra level of support when it comes to feeling motivated, and, with others keeping track of your fitness habits, you will feel more accountable in terms of working out regularly. This does not mean that you need to splash your workouts across every social media platform that you are a member of. Instead, pick one social media channel, whether this may be Facebook or a dedicated website such as DailyMile, and begin logging your workouts regularly. Be sure to log the part of your workout that motivates you the most, such as how many miles you have run, or how long you have spent working out.
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Choose a Tangible Reward
Choosing a tangible reward for when you reach a specific fitness goal is a great way to set yourself up for success. The best way to go about this is by setting up a few short term goals, and assigning a special reward to each of these. This does not need to be anything extravagant, and could simply be a smoothie from your favorite place or allowing yourself an evening to catch up on episodes of that TV program that you have been meaning to watch. By doing this, you are training your brain to associate the routine of working out with the reward at the end of it, and once your brain has properly latched on to this link, the act of working out will become a routine in itself that you will easily be able to follow each day.
Sign a Contract with a Penalty Clause
In the same way that having a reward to look forward to can really motivate a person, having a penalty that they will have to pay if they do not meet a goal can be just as motivating. All you need to do is write up a contract with your short or long term fitness goals, as well as a clause stating that if you do not meet your goals, you will need to pay a small sum of money, say $20, to two or three of your friends. The thought of paying this penalty will be enough to keep you moving, and your friends, who will be hoping for a payment, will be there to keep you accountable.
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Create a Competition
If you have friends that are also struggling with maintaining their fitness motivation, then creating a contest that you can all be a part of is a great way to motivate all of you as a group. This could be anything from weight loss to learning a new sport, depending on the overall aims of your group, and can involve weekly check-ins to help everybody to stay focused and on track.
There are many different ways to find your fitness motivation, and the method that will work best for you depends on what you are most motivated by. If you have a strong competitive spirit, you may find that creating a friendly competition keeps you inspired, while those who enjoy indulging in a treat may find it beneficial to come up with a few tempting rewards.
