6 Effective Ways to Stay Motivated for Fitness Success

1. Find a Great Reason

If you don’t know WHY you need to work out, you're unlikely to stick with the goal. Here are some great reasons to consider:

• To reduce stress that is affecting your health or weight.

• Remember, loving yourself well first can help you love others better. (Think about it. I could write a novel about this!)

• So you’ll be fit to [perform - sport or other], get married, attend the next reunion, play with grandkids when you're old, go skiing next winter, etc.

• So you won’t feel like a burden to anyone in your family because of poor health (i.e., to love your family well).

• So the small tasks you do around the house or work won’t be so difficult (stairs, carrying boxes, luggage, holding children, even getting out of a chair!).

• So you’ll have more energy at night.

• So you can sleep better.

• So your body can activate its "internal" pharmacy (i.e., be less dependent on drugs).

2. Bring Your Workout Clothes to Work

The night before work, make sure you pack your gym bag with your workout clothes and take them to work. This has a powerful effect on your subconscious mind. It helps you develop the mindset that you will go to class/gym straight after work. Create the habit. It’s best to avoid sitting down before you work out; you do not want to engage in thoughts about whether to work out or not!

3. Schedule Your Workouts

Put your workouts in your diary/calendar and treat them like a business meeting. By scheduling them, you are thinking about them and mentally preparing yourself, prioritizing exercise. Try to work out at the same time on the same days to create a habit!

4. Get a Class Buddy

I've seen this work in my class. Working out with other people can help keep you motivated. When you’re alone, you rely solely on inner motivation, but exercising with a group will push you harder. The great thing about my Zumba class is the friendships that have evolved from it; it provides group support and a social aspect!

5. Create a Rule

Make a rule and stick to it! Set a realistic workout target. If you plan to work out 3 times a week, make sure you have a rule that no matter what the week throws at you, you “will” complete your workout. You’re not going to “try” to work out or say you “should” work out; you “must” work out!

6. Reward Yourself

Reward yourself for your hard work; maybe it’s going to the cinema, buying new clothes, or getting a massage. Rewarding yourself can help you stay motivated. While you can certainly reward yourself with treats without working out, the reward feels much better and more deserved after a good workout.

People often quit working out because they choose the wrong class, try to do too much too soon, or aren’t fueling their workouts properly. Remember, the best exercise is the one you’ll do! If you're just starting, choose classes that don’t involve quick sudden movements, a lot of jumping (high impact), or require heavy weights, like barre, yoga, pilates, or Zumba. Go at your own pace and build up to trying out higher impact/heavy-weight resistance classes. Keep it real! Finally, be sure to fuel workouts for success to supply the energy to perform and allow for better recovery and less soreness afterward!