Workout Motivation Hacks for Anyone

• January 13, 2017
• Audio, Fitness, Gym, Training
• 1 Comment

A lot of us really want to work out more. Then again, a lot of us would be happy if we could start working out at all.

Motivation is tough. We know that working out will be good for us. We know that it will make us healthier and give us more energy, but it’s just so easy to “let it slide” one more day. (And then “one more day” turns into “one more week” and so on.)

Workouts are hard. They’re supposed to be. And that means that any speedbumps along the way can quickly derail our motivation.

There are a lot of things that can hold you back (including yourself), but a few simple workout motivation hacks can keep you right on track.

1. Use Positive Thinking AND Positive Feeling

We often hear the words “positive thinking” associated with any discussion of motivation, but the truth is that simply knowing that workouts are good for you and knowing that you want to be more active isn’t enough to get motivated.

Motivation is fueled by your feelings and emotions.

There was a great article in TIME Magazine that talked about this, and it can be summarized in one quote: “We need to think to plan but we need to feel to act.”

Of course, that doesn’t mean you can just decide to feel positive about your workout. There are too many outside factors that can impact how we’re feeling at any given time, and if we’ve got too much on our plate, putting us in a bad mood, we’re far more likely to procrastinate the next workout.

But we all have some things that put us in a better mood and let us block out all the negativity. And this motivational hack requires us to hang on tightly to those things.

We all have a much better chance of avoiding procrastination by planning ahead (positive thinking) and finding ways to improve your mood (positive feeling).

And what do you get when positive feeling and thinking come together?

Optimism.

And optimism is the foundation of motivation. Optimism is confidence that you will succeed because you’ve planned for it and you feel the results will be worth it.

2. Visualize Your Obstacles

Everyone faces different challenges, so, no matter how much we talk about positive thinking and planning, it’s important to remember that no plan turns out exactly like we imagined.

Sometimes, it just feels like something always – always – gets in our way.

If it happens once, it’s probably not a big deal. Twice… now you might start to feel your motivation slip. Three times, and most of us can assume we’ll be paying for a gym membership that won’t get used until next January.

The answer is to visualize your obstacles right along with your goals. Imagine all the things that could get in your way. Then, imagine how you will ignore/overcome/defeat each and every one of them. Then, when they happen, you’ll know exactly what to do.

3. Reward Yourself for Real

It’s easy to say that better health, more energy, and a better outlook on life are your rewards for sticking to a workout routine.

But for a lot of us, that is a little too intangible and way too far in the future.

A “real” reward is more tangible and more immediate.

Go to that movie, enjoy that amazing (and healthy) smoothie, buy that special thing you’ve been saving for. Give yourself something nice because you deserve it for this accomplishment.

Eventually, as our minds and bodies adjust to the workout routine, you’ll start to be more motivated by internal rewards – those endorphins that release when you complete a workout or push yourself to the next level. That’s the point when the workout itself becomes the reward.

Until then, it’s the external rewards that will increase your motivation levels.

4. Healthy Competition

Sometimes, one of the most effective forms of motivation is a little friendly peer pressure.

Yes, you’ve been told how bad peer pressure is, but you’re a little older now. You know how to have fun and where to draw the line.

So, use this competitive spirit to stay motivated. There are a couple benefits to this strategy.

One, you’ll be trying to accomplish your workout goals with others – which always makes it easier to stay motivated.

Two, the thought of the other people working out while you’re still curled up in bed is often enough to get you up and moving.

A little give and take, keeping things a little competitive, may be all you need to stick with your routine.

5. Use the Right Soundtrack

We’ve talked about the importance of using the right music to improve your run, but the same can be said for almost any kind of workout.

The right music at the right tempo can improve your overall enjoyment of the workout, reduce exertion levels, and make the time pass more quickly. That means your workout will be something you look forward to instead of something you’re forcing yourself to do.

6. Put Something on the Line

What will really happen if you don’t stick with your routine? For most people, the answer is “not much.” You’ll have to admit to your friends that you gave up, but beyond that, there isn’t much of a penalty.

On the other hand, if you give a friend $100 and tell them they can keep it if you don’t go to the gym at least 3 times a week, now you actually have something to lose.

When you have something very tangible to lose, you’ll be more motivated to see it through to the end.

Getting motivated to workout isn’t always easy, but it is always possible. You just need a good plan and a little optimism, and soon you’ll be maintaining your ideal workout program.