Is going back to the gym more difficult than you thought? Did you start working out, but you seem to have lost your energy for it? Are you looking for a quick and easy way to convince yourself to get back to your fitness program?
If you need motivation again but aren’t sure how to do it, here are some tips to help you get back to the gym! And love doing it!
When you have fun with your workout, you will stick with it—and that is scientifically proven. So be prepared to embrace those motives that will make exercise a part of your life forever!
1. Don’t limit your exercise inside the gym
Physical activity can be a part of your daily life, and this is the best way to make it a habit! Think about your daily routine and find out where physical activity can be incorporated. Choose to take the stairs, or go on foot and take a longer route.
2. Set realistic goals
One of the best ways for a successful comeback to the gym is to set realistic goals. If you haven’t been to the gym for a long time, don’t expect to return immediately to the level you were when you stopped. It takes time to rebuild your stamina and strength.
Feasible, realistic, and long-term goals are crucial to finding your motivation and continuing without disappointment. Be realistic about how often you train, and how much time you spend at the gym, and about the intensity of the workout. Increase your expectations slowly, without exaggeration. Keep in mind that it is not always useful to spend endless hours in the gym. An hour is enough, as long as you keep a specific schedule.
Try to split your workout as follows:
- 20 minutes of weight training
- 30 minutes of aerobic exercise
- 10 minutes stretching and resting
If you still don’t have an hour, HIIT is the workout that suits you.
3. Don’t get stuck in a specific exercise program
Another way to get back to the gym and find your lost motivation is to try something new!
Do not fall into the trap of repeating the same exercises over and over. Repetitiveness kills the fun and blocks your progress. You can try Yoga, Pilates, even circus arts. At eXtreme Fitness Camps, you can work out at their sweet Tiki Gym and you can also try Plyometrics, Calisthenics, or even aerials and flying trapeze.
If it isn’t boring, you are going to love doing it!
Having variety in your fitness program immediately makes your workout more enjoyable and helps you regain your motivation for exercise. Need new suggestions? Check out eXtreme Fitness Camps.
4. Find a gym mate to keep you accountable
Do you have a friend who is also looking for motivation? Going to the gym together is not only fun but also a great help in staying focused on your fitness goal!
The same goes for your other half, of course! Try # fitcouple # couplegoals and all! Try anything that makes your workout more enjoyable!
If you don’t have a friend who shares the same goal, consider finding a personal trainer! Who can be a better gym buddy than a trainer who knows exactly how to help you reach the maximum of your abilities?
5. Set learning goals
Instead of setting performance goals—like working out three times a week to lose four pounds—try setting learning goals. Learning goals are about discovering how to maintain a healthy lifestyle throughout your life, and they will motivate you more deeply. When your goal is to learn and to grow as a person, motivation never ceases.
6. Consider your workout as a gift
Working out shouldn’t be something you feel you must do. Change your perception and consider it as a gift to your body. Focus on how great you will feel when you finish your workout.
Don’t you feel energized and happy after a good workout?
This sense of renewal and vitality is the gift you make to yourself. Start thinking about exercising this way—and doing activities that make you happy. All this will give you an immediate reward that will inspire you.
When you love working out!
As you keep practicing those tips, you will become accustomed to thinking of exercise as something that makes you feel good. Working out will no longer be an obligation. A great way to re-frame exercising is to join an exciting Fitness Camp that offers the support of dedicated trainers and a lot of variety. Check out eXtreme Fitness Camps to find out all the different programs that will make you excited about exercising.
References
Very Well Fit, How to Stay Motivated to Exercise,
https://www.verywellfit.com/how-to-stay-motivated-to-exercise-1231409
ACTIVE, 8 Ways to Stay Motivated to Workout,
https://www.active.com/fitness/articles/8-ways-to-stay-motivated-to-workout/slide-9
GAIAM, 5 ways to stay motivated to exercise regularly, https://www.gaiam.com/blogs/discover/5-ways-to-stay-motivated-to-exercise-regularly
