Top 10 Motivation Tips to Get Back into Fitness!

 

Introduction

Just the thought of going to the gym. Suddenly you think of everything else you could do instead… It’s easier to have a duvet day, but the payoff for your health is priceless. Whether you are completely new to fitness or struggling to face another hour at the gym, I have some advice to get you back on track. Here are my Top 10 Tips to get you off the couch and back into the gym.

 

1. Keep Your Eye on the Prize:

Whether it’s you’ve Summer holiday or a wedding coming up, visualise how you want to look on a certain date. Imagine how you will look and more importantly how you will feel on that day. Make sure to keep this image clear in your mind before you begin training. Remind yourself that every session will bring you closer to your goal.

 

2. Take it One Step at a Time:

Losing too much weight too soon can be very bad for your health and put a strain on your heart. So it is important to create a relationship with food and exercise that you can maintain for the rest of your life. To lose weight or get into shape, I recommend investing in a personal trainer. They will advise you the healthiest way to reduce your body fat in the shortest possible time. Your health is your greatest asset and your trainer will be with you every step of the way.

 

3. Don’t be Afraid of Looking Ridiculous:

We are not born gym-bunnies. It takes time to build up your fitness levels, so it is perfectly natural to work up a sweat and have a bright pink face while training. I have to admit, I still feel out of place amongst the super-fit gym members, but everyone has their own pace and their own style so we should not compare ourselves to others. It is also good to remember that everyone else at the gym has at one point felt a bit out of place when they first began.

 

4. Music:

Adding music to your training is like adding magic! Have some fun by making your own personalised gym playlist. Play some warm up songs to get started, followed by songs with a strong beat for cardio for your workout and finally some slower songs for your cool down. Most gyms will play dance music that would not be out of place in Dicey’s on a Saturday night, so if this set list is not to your taste, bring your head phones to play the tunes that you like.

 

5. Think of Training as “Me-Time”:

Your training is time to focus 100% on you. You can let go of all your cares from the week. Whether you are out jogging through the park, doing yoga at home or taking part in your spinning class, for that hour, nothing else matters but your training. Having this time dedicated to you can be a great reliever of stress.

 

6. Get a Gym-Buddy:

There is a temptation to go to the gym with earphones, speak to no one and do your training in a little bubble. So, bring a friend! Research suggests that training with a friend can increase your performance 200%. The energy you get from someone else sharing in your session will make you want to give more and be able last longer. Having a friend by your side means you can laugh through the whole session and have so much more fun.

 

7. Start again:

We have to forgive ourselves for being human. We are not perfect, though some people appear to be! Sometimes we slip in our commitment to being healthy, but we always get a second chance. I believe that each time we “fail”, we uncover a weakness which we can then learn from and move on. So, you can think of failures as really precursors to success. A nice little quote to sum this up is:

“Power is made perfect in weakness”.

 

8. Get a Natural High:

When we exercise, the body’s natural feel-good hormones, called endorphins, get released and make us feel happy. This feel-good factor is a great boost and will have you smiling again after your training. It is called a post-work out high and can be a little addictive!

 

9. Try Something New:

A new approach to training could be just what you need to engage new muscles and give you a fresh start into fitness. If you always focused on flexibility, why not try out focusing on strength. If you feel you mastered your core strength, go for endurance, etc. Even if it means, you are the only guy in the dance class or the only girl in the boxing class, don’t be afraid to go for something new!

 

10. Set a Goal:

Don’t let your goal be too vague, e.g. losing weight. Be specific with your goals, e.g. I want to be a size 8 by August. As you continue with your new fitness and diet regime, you can watch this goal become a reality. Research shows that people who set goals in their minds are 10 times more likely to succeed than people who don’t set any fixed goal. As you get comfortable with one level of fitness, you will want to step up your game to reach a higher level. Your trainer will be only too happy to challenge you!

Conclusion

There is so much to gain by bringing fitness into your life. Make sure to keep it fun, new and interesting. Don’t be disillusioned by any slips ups as they are a part of life. Keep your eye firmly on the prize, no matter what. Be sure to bring along some enthusiastic friends to keep you on your toes! So what are you waiting for? Grab your gym buddy and get going!