How To Find Passion To Workout—Struggle To Get Fit And Healthy
For me exercise is more than physical, it’s therapeutic-Michelle Obama
If you noticed, I didn’t use the word “motivation”, instead, I used the word “passion”. Passion is something you follow with all your heart and mind.
You know what is the most common question asked on my Instagram account since I started posting my workout videos. Any guess? No, okay! it’s “ where do I find the motivation to work out every day?”
Let’s find out how I’ve learned along the way to help make exercise a daily habit and my passion as I go strong in my fitness journey.
Motivation is what makes us do the things we do. But motivation can die with time.
Frankly, there is no magic or secret sauce to finding the passion to workout. It’s within you and you just need to take it out and put it into action.
To become “active” or if you want to work on your fitness and health, it should become a habit, nothing should feel like a chore or a task. You don’t need to be motivated every single day just to check the box for this task.
Resolutions often go like this — you set a goal and start strong. Then the motivation runs out and feelings of frustration and shame creep in. The struggle is real at least for me but what if it doesn’t have to be like this.
Every new year, or at any special occasion like birthdays, anniversaries — people make resolutions or add a checklist to work on their fitness goals. Most of them start strong but sooner or later their motivation dies until they make the same resolution next year. And the cycle continues for year by year.
So you have to break the cycle of waiting for that special day when you take your health a priority. And this pandemic has taught us why health is so important. It’s not only about physical health but mental and emotional well-being as well.
So why not, start today and not wait for the next day or tomorrow or Monday. Here are a few ways you can make your fitness a habit and keep you fit and fab your whole life.
Act on “that” motivation —
Motivation is what gets you started, habit is what keeps you going. Many people that start a new fitness program quit within a few weeks.
Motivation is a trigger but it can not trigger consistency, Habits can. Any meaningful and tangible change needs consistency and time.
Focus on forming a habit so that you don’t need to make decisions on that motivation every day.
While it’s great to feel excited and ready to start something new, you have to be realistic about how long the feeling will last!
Being healthy isn’t about getting on a scale or measuring your waistline. We need to start focusing on what matters — on how we feel and how we feel about ourselves — Michelle Obama
Dedicate a specific time for your workouts
I like to do my workouts in the evenings but sometimes I get super tired after work and do not have the energy to work out. So I started doing it in the early morning as soon as I wake up.
If you don’t know when to work out. Check your work schedule or family responsibilities but take 30 minutes out from your day to your workouts.
If you want to work out, define a dedicated time and act on it. If you want to spend more time reading, pick a book and start reading it. It’s easy to find things that can keep us overwhelmed.
If you feel overwhelmed during the day, why not do your workouts early in the morning and get it away from your day.
Schedule workouts as you would any other important activity.
Find your purpose
In the fitness journey, one of the most important things to ask is “ why do you want to workout” may be to stay fit or want to lose those extra pounds, or want to gain muscles.
Anything you need to work up. Be specific on purpose and intentions.
Take the time to understand what you are here to do — and then pursue that with passion and enthusiasm.
You can write down your fitness statement and put it on your wall.
Define the attainable goals
You can define your goals. But don’t be too hard on yourself if you are not seeing desirable results or it’s talking time.
Make your goals realistic and achievable. It’s easy to get frustrated and give up if your goals are too ambitious.
Make work out a habit just like any other habit
If you struggle to get out of bed or feel like not working out. Try 1 minute jumping every hour, or do 10 push-ups or do 100 jumping jacks or 50 squats in a day, or just walk outside for 15–20 minutes.
Just investing few minutes every day, you are creating a habit to work out and once it becomes your habit, your body will tell you to workout. It will need that energy rush and you are going to love it.
Take help of fitness tracking apps, Apple watch, Fit-bit, etc. Recording your efforts and tracking your progress can help you work toward your goals and remind you that you’re making good progress.
Food
There is a saying “abs are made in the kitchen.” If you are not seeing the expected results, maybe you are not eating right and giving your body proper fuel.
Add more protein, fibers, whole food options, veggies to your meal. Cut down on processed food, sugar, and packed/frozen food.
If you’re too busy to work out or simply don’t feel up to it, take a day or two off. Go easy on yourself if you need a break.
Don’t focus on results rather enjoy the process first
We live in a fast world where everything is available with a single click. In life too, we want to see quick results.
When you are starting your fitness journey, it’s wise not to expect results or changes overnight.
There could be some positive measurable changes like mindfulness, positive attitude, stress relief, or a quick mood booster.
First, make your workout your habit, once it becomes a consistent habit, you will start seeing the results. For any workout that you take, you will experience mental strength much earlier than physical strength.
The important thing is to get back on track as soon as you can. Set your goals, make it fun and pat yourself on the back, treat and celebrate your tiny victories from time to time.
Remember, physical activity is for life. We need to practice before we become capable.
Don’t wait for the change to happen. Consistency is the key to success.
SHOW YOURSELF EVERY SINGLE DAY.
Also don’t discourage if you don’t attain goals, sooner. There are no shortcuts, rather enjoy the process as you accept yourself without criticism. Results will come sooner or later.
Along with workouts, practice mindful eating, and mental well-being. What you eat shows you on the body and skin.
Review these tips whenever you feel your motivation is slipping away. Hope you see yourself fit and fab this year without compromising your self-worth and compassion.
So my friends, Do it for yourself. Now that you’ve regained your enthusiasm, get moving!
Be Bold
Be Courageous
Be Your Best
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