Starting a new exercise routine is exciting! You’re feeling motivated and ready to crush your fitness goals. But as the weeks and months go by, it’s easy to lose motivation and let your workout consistency slip. Maybe you hit a plateau, or life gets too busy to prioritize exercise regularly. Don’t get discouraged if you’ve struggled with an exercise plan. Maintaining any new habit long-term takes effort and determination. With simple motivation tricks, you can bypass boredom, reignite your drive, and make fitness a permanent part of your lifestyle. Use these tips to keep powering through your workouts consistently:
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Schedule Workouts Like Appointments
Failing to schedule exercise time makes it too easy to make excuses and skip sessions. Treat your workouts as seriously as you would any other important appointment or commitment. Block off specific days and times on your calendar to exercise, and have a plan for what you’ll do during each session. Setting your routine in writing makes you far more likely to follow through. It also eliminates last-minute stress about finding time for activity. Your exercise “appointments” become non-negotiable.
One of the fastest motivation-killers is falling into a mundane exercise rut. Doing the same routine day after day inevitably becomes stale and boring over time. You’ll quickly dread each workout. Regularly change up the types of workouts you do to keep things exciting. For example, you might do cardio one day, strength training the next, and yoga or pilates on another. Varying the time and location of your sessions helps too. Mixing it up challenges your body and mind in new ways.
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Find an Accountability Partner
Having someone to keep you accountable and motivated throughout your fitness journey is invaluable. An accountability partner can be a friend, family member, or coworker with similar goals who you check in with regularly. Share your workout plans and progress updates. You’ll be much less likely to skip exercise when you know your partner is counting on you. Take turns encouraging each other through the inevitable rough patches too.
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Having an inspirational goal provides a powerful driving force to keep working hard. When you achieve one fitness milestone, immediately set a new one to re-ignite your motivation sparks. Your goals could be performance-based like running a 5K or mastering a new exercise move. Or aim for physique goals like boosting muscle mass or losing a pant size. Having things to work towards makes exercise feel more purposeful.
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Treat Yourself (In Moderation)
While you don’t want to overdo it, giving yourself little rewards for sticking to your fitness routine keeps going. Maybe you treat yourself to a massage after reaching your step goal for the month. Or buy those hot new leggings you’ve been eyeing after hitting your target weight. Just reward yourself with things that don’t derail your overall wellness efforts!
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Track and Celebrate Progress
A surefire way to stay motivated is to take note of the amazing progress you’re making over time through exercise. Take regular photos, body measurements, and assessments of strength and endurance. Seeing the positive changes in your physique and abilities will make you feel accomplished and energized to continue thriving. Be sure to celebrate your “non-scale” victories like improved energy, mood, and confidence too!
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Final Thoughts
Sticking with an exercise program long-term is challenging, but attainable when you prioritize it. By scheduling workouts, introducing variety, finding accountability, setting new goals, allowing small rewards, and tracking progress, you’ll always have a fresh surge of motivation propelling you through your fitness journey. Turn exercise into a permanent lifestyle!
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This article was first published on 30th May 2024
chidiogo-akaelu
Chidiogo Shalom Akaelu holds a degree in English and Literary Studies, from the University of Nigeria. She is a freelance writer, editor and founder of Loana Press, a budding online publishing outlet.
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