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While many of us aspire to become healthier and fitter, it can be pretty hard to fully commit to fitness goals with a busy schedule or when you lack motivation. Today, I’m providing 10 tips to help you stay committed to your fitness goals!
1. Make A Plan
One of the best things that you can do to stay committed to your fitness goals is to make a plan. Before embarking on your fitness journey, take the time to understand your why and how.
Your Why
The why involves determining your reason for starting a fitness plan. There are so many whys! Maybe you want to lose a few pounds. Maybe you have been going through a rough season and just want to feel “alive” again. Maybe you want to become mentally and physically stronger. Maybe you are new to the modern dating scene and you want to feel more confident. Maybe you want to live long enough to see your children get married or enjoy your grandchildren. Or heck, maybe you just want a bigger, firmer derrière. Whatever the reason is, find it. It’s important!
Your How
Your how requires you to sit down and evaluate how you plan to accomplish your fitness goals. This involves planning out how often you plan to work out each week, scheduling when and where you plan to workout, investigating workout methods or exercises best suited for your needs, and investing in resources to help you accomplish your goals (trainer, workout equipment, supplements, etc.). Research is key here!
Get Your Playlist In Order
One of the best things that you can do on your fitness journey is to create a music playlist that you love and that will motivate you to keep going at the gym! The goal here is to create a playlist of upbeat music that makes you feel empowered and like a total boss. If you are in need of some inspiration, check out this awesome list of female empowerment songs to get you started!
2. Prepare To Work Out The Day Before
In order to stay committed to your fitness goals, you may find it helpful to prepare to work out the day before. This involves mentally and physically preparing yourself to take on the next day’s workout.
The Mental Preparation
If you find it hard to follow through with your workout plans, you may find it helpful to mentally prepare yourself beforehand. This involves confirming in your mind that you will work out the next day. In addition, instead of thinking of exercising as a chore, think of it as a normal aspect of your day (like brushing your teeth).
The Physical Preparation
Have you ever meal prepped or made your lunch the night before? If doing those things made your life a little easier the next day, you may want to try doing the same with your athletic clothing and gym accessories. For example, if you plan to work out first thing in the morning, try setting out your gym clothes the night before so that you can easily grab them when you wake up.
3. Exercise First Thing In The Morning
If you are currently struggling to keep up with your fitness goals, try working out first thing in the morning. Working out in the mornings can elevate your mood and set the pace for a more productive, positive day. Spilled coffee on your shirt? No problem. Did your manager yell at you for no reason? No problem. Forgot to pick your kids up from school? No problem. Why? Because it’s all about those endorphins, ladies. Like Elle Woods in Legally Blonde once said, “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot their husbands, they just don’t!” I think we could all learn a thing or two from Elle Woods.
4. Small Goals For the Win
Working out and setting goals do not have to be intimidating! When starting your fitness journey, try setting small, attainable goals. Small goals or stepping stones make accomplishing your fitness goals a lot more attainable and doable. For example, break that large marathon run goal into smaller pieces so that you can stay motivated along the way!
5. Celebrate Small Wins
With fitness goals, and with life goals in general, celebrate the small wins. Celebrating the small accomplishments on your fitness journey will help build your confidence and help you appreciate what you have accomplished so far. Celebrate the fact that you can lift ten pounds more than you did last month or do five extra push-ups! Let’s celebrate and keep pushing on!
6. Remember Why You Started
Remember when I advised you to find a reason for starting your fitness goals? Ahem, tip #1. Well, like with anything in life, sometimes there are setbacks and challenges along the way to accomplishing a big goal. You may have to take a break and heal from an injury. You may find yourself disappointed when you see the number on the scale after hard weeks of training. You may feel overwhelmed or bored with your current routine. Life happens. Whenever you feel discouraged about your fitness journey, take some time to remember why you started in the first place. Reflecting on why you started your fitness journey will help you remember your purpose and encourage you to keep pressing on.
7. Don’t Obsess Over The Aesthetic
In order to stay committed to your fitness goals, it is also important to not obsess over how your body “should” or is “supposed” to look. While having the hottest, fittest body on the block is great and all, it’s important to also focus on building a healthy lifestyle and changing your mindset. Focus on making your fitness journey a lifestyle, rather than a fad where you are constantly on edge to keep up. In addition, think about your fitness journey as a lifelong marathon, rather than a seasonal fling. There is definitely a lot less pressure in that!
8. Use Social Media Only For Inspiration
Social media can be great when it comes to staying motivated or feeling inspired. However, let’s be honest – social media definitely has its toxic moments. Feel free to follow fitness models, influencers, and gurus that make you feel body positive and inspired. Unfollow those who make you feel bad about yourself or influence you to go down a self-critical rabbit hole. Use social media wisely, ladies!
9. Choose Workout Clothes That Make You Feel Good
If you can, find and wear athletic clothing that makes you feel good about yourself and your body. If your favorite color is blue, find a cute blue set that makes you feel like a total boss babe. I find that when I feel good about my workout clothes, I’m more motivated and excited to run the extra mile or do a few more reps.
Fortunately, today, there are so many athletic clothing brands that will suit your workout, your body shape, etc. If you are eager to invest more money into your athletic wardrobe, try Lululemon, Lorna Jane, and Gymshark. If you are looking for more budget-friendly athletic clothes, try Amazon (which has amazing Lululemon and Gymshark dupes), Target, TJ Maxx, and Marshalls.
10. Find A Support System
In order to stay committed to your fitness goals, you may find it helpful to find a support system. Your support system – whether family, friends, or new acquaintances from spin class – can help you stay motivated, encouraged, and grounded as you accomplish your fitness goals. In addition, your support system can be very essential in holding you accountable for your actions and accomplishing your goals.
Use Your Kids As An Excuse To Work Out
If you are a busy mom with kids, you may find it helpful to use your kids as an excuse for a good workout. Without a doubt, kids have a lot of energy and need exercise too! If you find yourself unable to take time out of your day for a personal workout, involve your kids in the sweat sesh. Going for a bike ride, walking in a park or mall, and doing family-friendly workout videos can not only help you but your kids as well!
11. Be Kind To Yourself
Be kind to yourself, ladies. Sometimes, as women, we are our own worst critics. Take time to express gratitude for your health and wellbeing and focus on the positives of your fitness journey. You are awesome (and don’t let yourself or anyone else tell you otherwise)!
12. Just Do You
Lastly, when staying committed to your fitness goals, it’s important to make exercise as fun as possible. If you don’t find exercising enjoyable, you should find and engage in exercise activities that will be the most fun or energizing. For example, if you enjoy dancing, take a dance class or follow a dance workout video on YouTube. If you despise yoga, don’t waste time, money, and energy on a yoga class that won’t bring you joy. Just do you – your mind, body, and fitness goals will thank you for it!
Love,
Miracle With Grace
For More Inspiration, Check Out:
At Home Workout Essentials For a Healthier You