Top 10 Steps to Staying Motivated With Exercise
by Heather Hogan
Get more out of your fitness routine!
10 LeVel Five steps to staying motivated...
1. Visualize Your Success
In order to achieve your fitness goals, you need to practice blocking out any negative thoughts. Be aware that they will surface ("…I should have been here twice already this week…I really slacked off the last time I was here…") and be ready to let them go. Work on mental images of achieving your goals, enjoying your work out, being proactive. "With each stroke/curl/crunch, I am getting stronger and stronger!"
2. Expect Setbacks
Acknowledge from the beginning that you are not perfect. There will be weeks where you lag behind in performance and commitment, and that is completely normal. Instead of using these bad weeks as personal proof that you can't stick to it, try turning it around. Just one more hurdle BEHIND you. It was nothing more significant than a bad week, and it's over. This week will be great!
3. Try Something New!
Don't resign yourself to the same old routine for every workout. How long can that possibly hold your interest? When you start to feel your enthusiasm ebb, try something new. We at LeVel Five are proud of our innovative approach to your fitness goals. Look at all your choices — from Pilates and Swiss Ball classes, to Fight Club and Spin Yoga. Try using a stability ball for your triceps instead of a free weight. Our options are endless…so you can keep it interesting!!
4. Routine, Routine, Routine
What are some of the things that get you motivated for a trip to the gym? Is there a CD that gets you pumped? A particular outfit you prefer to work out in, or a favorite power bar? Use all of these cues as little pre-workout rituals. They'll help get you into a more focused headspace. Develop special habits that will carry you to the gym on those days when mind is elsewhere.
5. Focus
Once you've made it to the gym, don't let your mind race with all the other things you've got to squeeze into the rest of your day. You've made the effort to be at the gym, so make your workout count and enjoy it! Focus on what you're doing — breathing, flexing, strengthening, etc. — and let all the internal babble ("don't forget to…I still have to pick up…how am I going to…") melt away as each movement brings you closer to your fitness goal.
6. Have a Plan B
If you know there are certain times, in any given month, that your home life and/or job will build up and begin to take over, have a secondary schedule to fall back on. If you normally aim for 3-4 visits in one week, acknowledge ahead of time that your life is crazy at month-end, or when the kids are on Spring Break, and switch to your "Plan B", aiming for 1-2 visits per week until things settle down. When your goals are unrealistic, the only thing you'll accomplish is self-defeat.
7. Remain Confident
Make sure you are on the right track. As your routine evolves, your physical needs will change, as should your approach. This is where personal trainers can help. Whether you need an introduction to our equipment, a personalized fitness routine, or simply one-to-one support and encouragement, personal trainers ensure that you learn how to meet your goals.
8. Treat Yourself
You're working your butt off, you're getting out there and you're doing it. So when (on occasion) you splurge on a big bowl of Fettucine Alfredo, or a creamy chocolate éclair, be kind to yourself. Be proud and enjoy it. You've earned it!
9. Watch Yourself
Are you still waiting to see the benefits? Check your form! An exercise done without attention to posture and form is a waste of your time. Movements are meant to target specific muscle groups for specific results. You need to be sure that you are isolating the proper muscles, and not relying on larger muscle mass or momentum to help propel your movements.
Consider this — a set of 30 sit-ups that leaves you're abs unable to continue is a set done in good form. A set of 60 push-ups that leaves you with energy to burn was a waste of your time. You can fool your ego, but there is no fooling your muscles! Listen to your instructors, and ask lots of questions.
10. Believe In Yourself!
All the strategies, rituals and time-honored clichés in the world don't amount to much if you can't muster a little faith in yourself. Try telling yourself that you CAN do it, that you WILL do it, and that you believe in yourself. "Who you believe you are and what you believe you can do will either stop you in your tracks or inspire you through the tough times." The choice is yours.
by Heather Hogan
Get more out of your fitness routine!
10 LeVel Five steps to staying motivated...
1. Visualize Your Success
In order to achieve your fitness goals, you need to practice blocking out any negative thoughts. Be aware that they will surface ("…I should have been here twice already this week…I really slacked off the last time I was here…") and be ready to let them go. Work on mental images of achieving your goals, enjoying your work out, being proactive. "With each stroke/curl/crunch, I am getting stronger and stronger!"
2. Expect Setbacks
Acknowledge from the beginning that you are not perfect. There will be weeks where you lag behind in performance and commitment, and that is completely normal. Instead of using these bad weeks as personal proof that you can't stick to it, try turning it around. Just one more hurdle BEHIND you. It was nothing more significant than a bad week, and it's over. This week will be great!
3. Try Something New!
Don't resign yourself to the same old routine for every workout. How long can that possibly hold your interest? When you start to feel your enthusiasm ebb, try something new. We at LeVel Five are proud of our innovative approach to your fitness goals. Look at all your choices — from Pilates and Swiss Ball classes, to Fight Club and Spin Yoga. Try using a stability ball for your triceps instead of a free weight. Our options are endless…so you can keep it interesting!!
4. Routine, Routine, Routine
What are some of the things that get you motivated for a trip to the gym? Is there a CD that gets you pumped? A particular outfit you prefer to work out in, or a favorite power bar? Use all of these cues as little pre-workout rituals. They'll help get you into a more focused headspace. Develop special habits that will carry you to the gym on those days when mind is elsewhere.
5. Focus
Once you've made it to the gym, don't let your mind race with all the other things you've got to squeeze into the rest of your day. You've made the effort to be at the gym, so make your workout count and enjoy it! Focus on what you're doing — breathing, flexing, strengthening, etc. — and let all the internal babble ("don't forget to…I still have to pick up…how am I going to…") melt away as each movement brings you closer to your fitness goal.
6. Have a Plan B
If you know there are certain times, in any given month, that your home life and/or job will build up and begin to take over, have a secondary schedule to fall back on. If you normally aim for 3-4 visits in one week, acknowledge ahead of time that your life is crazy at month-end, or when the kids are on Spring Break, and switch to your "Plan B", aiming for 1-2 visits per week until things settle down. When your goals are unrealistic, the only thing you'll accomplish is self-defeat.
7. Remain Confident
Make sure you are on the right track. As your routine evolves, your physical needs will change, as should your approach. This is where personal trainers can help. Whether you need an introduction to our equipment, a personalized fitness routine, or simply one-to-one support and encouragement, personal trainers ensure that you learn how to meet your goals.
8. Treat Yourself
You're working your butt off, you're getting out there and you're doing it. So when (on occasion) you splurge on a big bowl of Fettucine Alfredo, or a creamy chocolate éclair, be kind to yourself. Be proud and enjoy it. You've earned it!
9. Watch Yourself
Are you still waiting to see the benefits? Check your form! An exercise done without attention to posture and form is a waste of your time. Movements are meant to target specific muscle groups for specific results. You need to be sure that you are isolating the proper muscles, and not relying on larger muscle mass or momentum to help propel your movements.
Consider this — a set of 30 sit-ups that leaves you're abs unable to continue is a set done in good form. A set of 60 push-ups that leaves you with energy to burn was a waste of your time. You can fool your ego, but there is no fooling your muscles! Listen to your instructors, and ask lots of questions.
10. Believe In Yourself!
All the strategies, rituals and time-honored clichés in the world don't amount to much if you can't muster a little faith in yourself. Try telling yourself that you CAN do it, that you WILL do it, and that you believe in yourself. "Who you believe you are and what you believe you can do will either stop you in your tracks or inspire you through the tough times." The choice is yours.
posted by ~*~ Nancy ~*~ @ 12:16 a.m.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home