If you recently started working out to improve your health, you may be hitting a wall when it comes to motivation. As time progresses, it can be hard to stick to your workout goals. But with these tips, you may find it easier to continue on your fitness journey:
Do it for the right reasons
Speaking of those goals, be sure you’re starting a new fitness routine for the right reasons. It can be easy to be pressured into the latest exercise fad or start working out right before a class reunion. But if it’s not what you or your body need, you could be wasting time or even hurting yourself. For example, even though the popular phrase is “No pain, no gain,” Healthline advises you to avoid any exercises that increase pain. It may seem obvious, but ignoring pain signals could result in extended time away from the gym and your goals. Outside of the physical aspect, you should consider your mental health when creating fitness goals, too. Try to focus on what works best for you so you don’t get too overwhelmed.
Don’t fret about mistakes
It can be easy to be hard on yourself if you do miss a day at the gym or eat a whole pint of ice cream in one sitting. But don’t stress out too much about it. There’s always time to get back into your routine and start again. Focus on what you can control from here on out and stay positive.
Don’t overdo it
One of the biggest mistakes you can make when setting fitness goals is going too big. When you don’t immediately reach your goal or if you miss a piece of an extensive workout plan, it can be discouraging. Think about it this way: If you haven’t worked out in a long time, don’t expect that you’ll do a ton of reps every day on various muscle groups or that you’ll run two miles every morning. Doing so could not only result in skipping the gym, but you could also get injured by overexerting yourself. Start slow with exercises you’re comfortable with and can reasonably fit into your day. The Center for Disease Control recommends adults exercise 150 minutes per week or approximately 20 minutes per day. However, you can break it up to fit your weekly schedule and create skip days or plan around other engagements. It’s all about finding the right balance for your life so you can consistently meet your goals.
Get a workout buddy
An easy way you can stay motivated to work out is to find someone who can help keep you accountable. By having a workout buddy, the two of you can adventure on your fitness journey together, making it more enjoyable. If you’re unable to work out together, set up check in calls or texts to see what progress you’re making on each of your goals. Not only will this help you stay on track, but your friend can assist you with ways to make your workouts more interesting or challenging. For example, they may have home equipment that you could borrow and vice versa.
These are just a few ways you can stick to your fitness goals throughout the year. Do what works for you and makes you feel better.