2. follow your inspiration on instagram
I'm a big believer in reminders. If you give yourself constant reminders of your fitness goals, you'll have a much harder time losing motivation. One way to do this is to fill your Instagram feed with inspiration. This doesn't have to just be workout gurus - it can also be accounts that focus on healthy eating, mental wellness, and positivity.
Social media can be dangerous, as it often leads to body comparrison and decreased self-esteem in women. My advice is to never use someone else's body as a goal. Your workout "why" should never be to look like someone else. We're all unique, in the best way! You can only aim to be the best version of yourself.
3. create a pinterest board
You can create a Pinterest board for pretty much any topic you are interested in. Pinterest is full of tips and tricks! That's why creating a fitness/health board could be so useful. There are thousands of workouts right at your fingertips, as well as motivational quotes, healthy recipes, and more.
4. compile a workout playlist
I created my workout playlist on Spotify, that way I have an almost endless selection of songs to choose from. Creating a specific vibe or atmosphere when you work out is important. My playlist gets me in the mood to exercise, when I may have not otherwise been in that mindset.
5. find a buddy
Some people swear by having an "accountability partner," which is someone who holds you accountable to your fitness goals. Personally, I don't work out with anyone else because I prefer being alone when I exercise, but everyone is different. Finding what makes you comfortable and what keeps you motivated is what's important, so invite a friend with you next time you hit the gym or go on a run. You can bounce ideas off each other for new workouts and share your progress with each other along the way.
6. join a gym
If you choose to work out at home but are finding yourself procrastinating your workouts, join a gym! Sometimes home workouts are full of distractions - "Should I do the dishes?" "Maybe I need to vacuum." "But I have all this laundry to fold!" - whereas gyms are in existence for the sole purpose of exercising. If you go to the gym, chances are, you will work out. And if you are paying for a gym membership, the payments themselves could be motivation enough. :)
That being said, some people aren't comfortable at the gym, and that is OK. I'm a home workout fan, myself, because I love the convenience of it. Neither method is right or wrong - it's what works for you that is right for you. 7. watch youtube videos
One way to keep your workouts new and fun is to find them on YouTube. I'm a big fan of following along with fitness videos because it's like I have a personal trainer right in my living room!
My favorite channel is Tone It Up. Tone It Up is a fitness community lead by Karena & Katrina, who are like your personal trainers. Their YouTube channel is full of female-friendly workouts, nutrition advice, and more. I love the TIU team because they're super relatable and fun to watch. I highly recommend their channel! I also love Whitney Simmons, who has videos on everything from what she eats in a day to what she wears in the gym. She is inspirational and hilarious. Whitney is who originally inspired me to start my fitness journey! 8. order workout equipment
Like a gym membership, if you spend money on something, you're likely to make use of it. That's why buying your own workout equipment could be a good motivator when it comes to working out. If you have a set of weights right in your own home, fitting in a workout is easy, even with a busy schedule. If you're just starting out, a nice set of dumbbells and a yoga mat are all you really need. I also love my kettlebell, resistance bands, jump rope, and Everlast reflex bag.
Another good investment could be in workout clothes. For some, having cute workout clothes is a big motivator in itself. If you think you'll feel more confident working out in those Gymshark leggings you've been seeing all over Instagram, go get 'em! You should do what makes you feel comfortable. 9. take a class
If you're the type of person who needs in-person coaching or the motivation of being in a group setting, sign up for a fitness class. Again, it will be hard to skip it if you've already paid for it. :) Plus, fitness classes are a way to learn something new. Maybe you've never done cycling before, or you've always wanted to try pilates. This could be your chance! There are so many types of fitness classes out there, so I suggest looking for what's available near you.
10. design a schedule
For some people, scheduling is everything. I know because I'm one of those people! For you, designing a weekly or even monthly workout schedule could make a huge difference in your motivation to exercise. Maybe you want to target certain muscle groups on certain days or you need to fit your workouts in between work and school. Either way, scheduling can be a huge help!
11. start a fitness journal
12. try something new
When you fall into a slump and are having a hard time finding the motivation to work out, try something new. This could mean trying new exercises, finding a new workout environment, making new recipes, reading new books, subscribing to a new health magazine, creating a new Pinterest board, or really anything to switch up your routine and refresh your mind and body. Sometimes getting into too much of a routine can be the opposite of what you want!
13. keep progress photos
Progress photos will give you the ability to look back at your starting point and see how far you've come. It can be easy to "settle" and become stagnant in your fitness journey. This is when photos come in handy! They can remind you that you do have what it takes to become even stronger and healthier. Working out should not be just a stage in your life with one end goal. It should be an ongoing process: a lifestyle.
P.S. I included some progress photos of myself at the beginning of this post. These were taken just within the last month! I'm not exactly where I want to be, but I'm still very happy with how far I've come. :) 14. be forgiving
Because this is a lifestyle and life is busy and unpredictable, you will miss workouts. You will mess up. No one is perfect, so be forgiving and understand that no matter what, your body can recover. It's OK to take rest days, and it's OK to have cheat meals. As important as it is to be consistent and disciplined, it's also important to live a little. :)
15. use an app
If you have a smart phone, you have an endless amount of health and fitness apps to choose from. Having workouts, recipes, meal trackers, etc. on your phone can be helpful because you have those reminders right at your fingertips. Below are some of my favorites:
I'm really hoping to publish more posts as the school year begins, so don't forget to connect with me below! I post my articles immediately on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. I also love all my Pinterest boards, so be sure to follow me there. :) Thanks for reading!
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