12 Ways To Keep Your Fitness Goals When You're Unmotivated AF

Taysha Robinson

Apr 27, 2019 09:17 AM +0000

When it comes to personal development and goal-setting, there are very few undertakings that are more challenging than maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle throughout the years, especially after the initial motivation of New Year's resolutions wears off.

We've all been there: we've started a plan, we've felt excited, and we've dove in with extreme gusto. Then, by week four--who am I kidding week two--we've suddenly lost motivation, and everything seems like it is too much.

Going to the gym is harder than passing it. Eating healthy is stressful and who has time to cook, again? Your diet is too restrictive and that exercise routine that you perfected while in your prime is hard as hell now.

And eventually, and inevitably, you quit.

Because the truth is, staying motivated every day to exercise and eat clean can be tough, and sometimes you just don't feel like it. Which is normal. But, each day that goes by with you stuck in this rut is another day missed and you go further and further from your fitness goal.

So, without further ado, and seeing how you've already wasted enough time, I present to you to the 12 tricks to keep your fitness fever--and mine--elevated at the highest degree.

There are so many fitness competitions out there, and many of them are worth the experience. From Tough Mudder to Rugged Maniac, from 5k races to 10k ones, you'll have plenty of motivation towards getting the fit body you desire. Plus, with the competition's immutable date, you'll have a set deadline to get in the shape you want.
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I know, I know, and before you ignore this option completely, hear me out. Money is a great incentivizer. Why? Well, because none of us like to lose it. So, make a bet with your friend about how much weight you plan to lose by the end of three months. Or make a bet about both of you reaching your goals by the end of the year. If you both win, use the money to treat yourselves. If you don't, give them--or yourselves--a chance to get your money back by creating a new, more realistic goal.
And for those who are still not sold on putting your money where your exercise machine is, try putting something else, like babysitting, movie tickets, dinner, or more on the line.
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Oh, the power video holds. With this fitness trick, you can literally see your fitness progressing over time. Record yourself talking about your goals or performing an impressive routine, then post it on Instagram or FB.
If you rather not share your journey with your friends, that's fine, try joining the community GiveIt100 at GiveIt100.com. On this site, you are accountable for working on something for 100 days straight. Every day, you'll upload a video and other site participants can follow you, like your posts, and cheer you on through the comments. For those who have a Fitbit products, I have found posting to the "Community" portion of the Fitbit app to be helpful and rewarding. When I finished my 10 mile hike in two days last October, I found sharing with my Fitbit community to be nothing short of spectacular. Try it out, it'll be worth it.
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Forget how sticking to fitness would benefit you and consider how it might benefit others. Having consistent self-motivation is hard, so try exercising for donations for your favorite charity. Sign up for a charity run, or enlisting to run a marathon on the behalf of anything you care about.
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Picking and choosing workouts on the whim, going to classes here and there, and following an app every now and then can make it really easy to lose the desire to workout. So, instead of doing that, choose a longer-term workout program. In doing so, you're automatically holding yourself accountable and because it is long-term, you can make this fitness routine a habit.
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Not enough time to exercise during the day or after work? Fear not, try early in the morning. How early? Well, before work, of course.
Go to bed with the intention of exercising in the morning; and to stop yourself from backing out, set an alarm (and place it out of your reach) and sleep in your fitness gear. When the alarm goes off and you're already up and dressed, you might as well go burn some calories while you're at it.
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Most fitness tracking apps include a competition or a leaderboard feature, because competition works. Apart from joining friendly competition, it also allows the people closest to you know that you are sticking to your workouts; and seeing your friends stick to their goals might convince you to stay on yours.
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Create a workout log and have a reward attached to hitting a certain goal. This goal can be losing ten pounds or lifting more than you did the week before. To celebrate, buy yourself something for your fitness like new leggings, or that fitness bike you've had your eyes on. If you don't want to spend your reward on fitness, that's fine, too. Use your reward to splurge on yourself or take something off your bucket list.
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Before you think it: No, I do not mean a gym contract. Signing one of those and getting out of them is harder than a magician's assistant escaping a rigged box. When I say sign a contract, I mean create one for yourself, and then sign it.
You want to exercise at least three times a week? Cool, write that down. You want to eat healthy food for the majority of the week, but you also want to allocate yourself a cheat day? Fine by me, write it down. You want to keep exercise for a competition for that ummer bikini, or for that goal weight? Sounds great, write it the hell down. Print it out, and sign on the dotted line. Then, uphold the deal you've made to yourself. And like every contract, finish it out to term.
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Couple running along pathway by beach
Buddy up. Yes, it can be isolating to exercise alone, especially if you aren't close to the body that you want. So, why not share the experience with a friend, or an accountability partner?
Letting yourself down can be easy, but with an accountability partner you can sport the guilt you'll need to accomplish your goal. With an accountability partner, you'll have someone to report to if you flake out of your exercise routine. Plus, on the bright side, your partner-in-fitness can make for a great gym buddy, confidant, and support system.
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Turn to tunes. To beat the fitness blues, get some suitable headphones and blast the beats. While running, you get to star in your own music video, or better yet, watch time pass by without even knowing it. Or you could always listen to a motivational speech on YouTube and don't forget the beauty that are podcasts, audiobooks, and stand-up comedy.
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I'm working on myself, for myself, by myself
Seeing the results of your fitness routine can be hard. Especially if you're making gradual versus drastic changes. So, take a photo. In the beginning of every week, take a photo, so that you can see progress with your own eyes.
And, if you're feeling bold, post a "before" picture of yourself--alongside your goal, on social media. Then, go from there.
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Featured image by Getty Images

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