FITNESS: Motivation to Exercise

‘Motivation to Exercise’ by Kat Millar published in Great Health Guide (Nov 2016). Kat discusses how to make exercise more fun and enjoyable. And things to get a person on track, be motivated and consistent in exercising.

Read other Fitness articles on Great Health Guide, a hub of expert-inspired resources empowering busy women to embody health beyond image … purpose beyond measure.

Fitness: Motivation to exercise

written by Kat Millar

When it comes to sticking to exercise and making it more fun and enjoyable, I have some really cool tips that can help make exercise easier to stick to. Throughout my time in the fitness industry since 2003, I’ve come to realise that there are certain things that successful people do when it comes to exercise. These things help keep them on track, motivated and consistently inspired to keep exercise as a lifestyle habit.

1. Keep it Enjoyable, Manageable and Simple

If you want to be someone who exercises for life, I believe that the more enjoyable, simple and manageable you make your exercise routine, the more likely you will be motivated to do it. If your exercise is too complicated, hard or boring, you will find a host of reasons not to do it – and then you’ll feel bad about it. Finding enjoyable exercise and looking forward to it can be a total game-changer for people. It doesn’t mean you will feel like doing it every single time, or that there won’t be days when you struggle to get motivated to do it. But it will mean you are more likely to keep it up regularly.

Ask yourself what you really love. Is it dancing, boxing, classes? If you can’t think of anything, it may be time to simply try some new things and choose your favourite. Be careful not to over complicate it. Don’t try to make five or ten changes at once or set yourself targets that are complex or unattainable. This week, just pick one thing to focus on and do it well.

2. Go at your own pace

Going at your own pace is all about your own personal bests. Healthy competition that inspires you to push yourself can be very beneficial. However, many people compare their journey to others.

Want your own FREE COPY of Great Health Guide

& delivered to your inbox each month?

Look to your right…

 

To keep from burning out, decide to go at your own pace. I remember a time when I was out running and a guy ran past me and I thought, ‘I’m going too slow’. I started running to try and catch up and next thing I found myself slowing to a walk because I ran too fast to keep up and over did it. I was annoyed. I had to slow to a walk. It was a good lesson for me to go at my own pace!

3. Follow a Personalized Program

Your body is unique and unlike that of any other person. It’s important to make sure you are personalising your program to suit your individual preferences, needs, body-type, personality, goals, history, strengths and weaknesses.

4. Enlist Positive Support

Ideally, enlist the help of a training buddy or Exercise Professional to help you in your fitness journey. Whether you want to get fitter, stronger, leaner, more toned, have more energy or all of the above, having accountability, cheerleaders, positive support and help, can make the world of difference.

5. Cover all bases- Resistance, Cardio, Flexibility and Mobility

Regardless of your goal, I recommend that you cover all 4 of these aspects in your program. If your program doesn’t cover all 4 of these areas, research what you need to do. Getting professional help can help reduce poor technique, injuries and over or under developing certain muscles to the detriment of others. It can also help you get the most out of your time.

6. Regular Movement:

Daily movement is best; our bodies are designed to move. This, however, doesn’t mean going hell-for-leather each and every day. Make sure you vary the intensity and type of training to give your body a change. If you want to save time in your resistance training, use exercises that target large muscle mass to get more bang for your buck. For example, multi-joint, compound exercises such as squats, lunges, push ups and rows. Always allow sufficient rest and recovery. For example, HIIT one day, weights the next then yoga or a walk or swim the next.

7. Creating an Empowering Environment:

If you’re not reached your goal yet or are struggling to get motivated, check your environment. How motivating is the physical location where you exercise? Is it a place you enjoy going to? An empowering environment also includes people. If you’re the kind of person who likes exercising with others, are you in a group training environment? If not, you are likely to get bored or feel like you’re not having fun.

Pick any of these 7 success principles that you feel will help you the most and choose a simple next step to start taking action today. Your body is too important not to take the time to create a simple, enjoyable and manageable movement plan. 

Author of this article:

Kat Millar is a coach, speaker, award-winning figure competitor, fitness lecturer and NLP Practitioner. Since 2003, Kat has helped thousands of people achieve life-changing in results in holistic health and body transformation. Kat can be contacted through her website or Facebook

Want your own FREE COPY of Great Health Guide

& delivered to your inbox each month?

Look to your right…