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Do you often find yourself losing steam? Do you catch yourself thinking “Oh, no . . . I just don’t have the willpower today!” If this is you, read on for some tips to keep your motivation sky high!
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You just need some ideas to get over those bumps in the road that we all run into from time to time!
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10 Exercise Tips to Keep You Motivated This Week
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10 Exercise Tips to Keep You Motivated This Week
Tip #1: Set reasonable and do-able goals!
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Often, we decide to get into shape but forget that it took some time for us to get OUT of shape. It is going to take some time to feel better physically, mentally and emotionally about yourself.
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Setting reasonable goals, especially at the start of your exercise program, gives you more mile-stones to serve as proof that you can & will do this!
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If you decide, on the other hand, that first you have to run the mile in under 5 minutes . . . well, if you could do that, you probably wouldn’t need any motivation, now would you?
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If you give yourself a solid, but reasonable goal and allow yourself the time to achieve it, it can give you the incentive to keep moving forward! Once you hit one goal, just remember to set another one in your sights so you keep progressing.
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10 Exercise Tips to Keep You Motivated This Week
Tip #2: Find an exercise partner, someone you will enjoy working out with
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On those days that you don’t feel like exercising, your partner can encourage you to hit the trail, gym or yoga mat. But remember on those days when THEY don’t really feel up to exercising, it’s up to YOU to encourage them.
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10 Exercise Tips to Keep You Motivated This Week
Tip #3: Keep a chart of your improvement as you progress towards your goal
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It often helps to remember where you were if you want to remind yourself of where you intend to go! And sometimes, it is more encouraging to take more than a few steps back..
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When you are trying to lose weight in your exercise program, there are sometimes days or weeks when nothing seems to be happening.
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Yet, something IS happening. This slow but steady progress can become more obvious when you look back at where you were 3 months ago rather than just 3 days ago.
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A chart tracking your progress on weight lost, miles run or measurements decreased can often remind you of just how much you have already accomplished, giving you that extra bit of encouragement to keep on keeping on!
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10 Exercise Tips to Keep You Motivated This Week
Tip #4: Find an exercise program you can really have some fun with
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If you are slogging through your workout, it’s time to reignite your exercise program with a new sport, class or routine..
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Some people have fun just going for long walks or runs all by themselves. That’s just great!
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Others, and maybe this is YOU, have more fun working out in a group or maybe even on a team. Either way, it really should be fun if you are going to keep up with your fitness plan.
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After all, if something is a fun pastime, isn’t that its own motivation?
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10 Exercise Tips to Keep You Motivated This Week
Tip #5: Be kind to yourself!
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So what if this is the fifth exercise program you’ve tried? The point is to forget about things that haven’t worked and remember the things that HAVE!.
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Focus on what you have achieved, and forget about the rest! Those other programs just were not the program YOU needed.
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Focus also on the fact that YOU AREN’T GIVING UP! That simple fact – you are putting in hard effort to work toward a goal – is something to be very proud of!
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10 Exercise Tips to Keep You Motivated This Week
Tip #6: Give yourself a pat on the back
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This follows right along from Tip #5. Being kind to yourself also means congratulating yourself when the job is well done!.
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I’m not talking about getting a swelled head. I’m talking about a realistic assessment of what you have already accomplished so far and giving yourself a well-earned atta-boy or atta-girl.
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When you can pat yourself on the back and see what you have already accomplished, it is much easier to keep going!
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10 Exercise Tips to Keep You Motivated This Week
Tip #7: Set a goal, and reward yourself when you achieve it
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At the beginning of the week, set yourself that reasonable goal. Then, when you achieve it, give yourself some sort of treat..
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Now, that treat shouldn’t be a slice of chocolate cake, an extra 5 cookies or a trip to the ice cream parlour – at least not most weeks. Save food rewards for big celebrations.
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Instead, give yourself a healthy and positive treat like those yoga pants you’ve been eyeing, new gear for your bike or tickets to the movies.
10 Exercise Tips to Keep You Motivated This Week
Tip #8: Every once in a while, treat yourself to that guilty pleasure
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This might seem to be contradicting Tip #7, but the emphasis is on every once in a while, which means once every month or two..
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Why? Because so many people try so hard to avoid that guilty pleasure that when they fall off the wagon, they fall hard and stay down.
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For most people, if they allow themselves the occasional treat, it makes it easier for them to keep going forward with their dietary, nutritional and exercise programs.
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They know that at some point they will be rewarded with something they really love, like a bacon double cheeseburger or hot fudge sundae, and are SO much better about sticking with the program!
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10 Exercise Tips to Keep You Motivated This Week
Tip #9: Set up the exercise time to be convenient and easy for you
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It should go without saying, but planning to workout at a time that doesn’t make sense for you is not going to cut it.
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If you have a tough time getting away in the middle of the day, setting that time for a trip to the gym is not the smartest idea. It just has that built-in excuse for not making it.
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If you are yawning by 6 pm, don’t plan to go to the gym before dinner. You’ll all too easily skip it.
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Mornings work best for many people, but whatever time you choose, make sure it is the easiest and best time for YOU!
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10 Exercise Tips to Keep You Motivated This Week
Tip #10: If setting a single time doesn’t work, break up your exercise program into 2 or 3 parts!
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Research shows that running half a mile twice a day is just as beneficial as running a full mile once a day..
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The key with all these tips is that YOU know what is best for YOU.
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Figure out the plan that feels right for you, and allow yourself the flexibility to change it as you move forward to a slimmer, trimmer and healthier you!
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One method of exercise that works with a lot of these tips is yoga.
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It’s enjoyable and effective, and it’s something you can easily do at home. Try it now, and in as little as 10 minutes you’ll be feeling more relaxed and at ease: Click here
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Keep well!
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