It’s just a fact of life that motivation wanes. Whether you are the most seasoned exerciser, or a workout novice trying to build a fitness habit, you will find yourself at one point or the another dreading dragging yourself through one more workout.
The good news is, just like any stale relationship, you can breathe new life into your love for fitness by spicing up your routine. Here are some ideas to get your wheels spinning:
Sign up for a running group. You’ll make new friends, and gain a serious support group in your fellow runners, all for free. Check out rrca.org/find-a-running-club/ or check Craigslist.com for a list of clubs in your area.
Buy a cute new outfit for the gym. It’s one thing to buy a pair of jeans you hope to fit into one day, but how does that make you feel good now? Buy a new outfit you can wear to the gym, today, that makes you feel great. You won’t be able to wait to get into the gym and show it off.
Grab a friend- and a trainer. This one is a fun and motivation double whammy. Not only can you save on personal training sessions if you split the cost with a friend, but having a gym buddy can make workouts fun, while a personal trainer can ensure they are effective.
Get competitive. It’s easy to slip into the ‘working out for the sake of working out’ mentality, which then leads to the ‘what’s the point?’ mentality. Competition is the best way to beat this. Sign up for a adult sports team in your neighborhood and remember that feeling of getting stronger to perform your best, not because you ‘have to.’
Try something new. New things are always exciting. Try new exercises you have never done before targeting each part of your body. Or, change your scenery by going for your run in a new neighborhood or take a new group class at the gym. You may just find a new passion you never considered before.
Fitness should be fun, but we often look at it like torture. If you enjoy your workout, you’ll look forward to doing it, and you’ll put far more time and effort into transforming your body- without even noticing, because you’re having the time of your life.