Motivation to Move!
April 21, 2022 | Health
Sometimes, the sheer thought of working out can make anyone shudder. Especially when it’s been one of those days that seems to be never-ending. Your feet ache, lunch was a nightmare, and that ‘pending task’ popped up out of nowhere leaving you to deal with it like a ‘responsible’ adult (kids don’t realize how easy they have it). Going to the gym, or heading out for a power walk or run is the last thing on your mind. But you know you must…
The following mini motivators may be all you need to get that blood pumping and turn that sweat into the tears of body fat.
Listen to that pump-up song!
Nothing quite sets the mood like a good ol’ fashioned piece of motivational music. After all, it helped Rocky Balboa power through all of those grueling training montages, it can work for you too. Find a song or playlist that inspires you to move and play it through once or twice. You’ll be shocked at how much your energy levels can pick up with a little melody.
Also, while exercising, studies have shown that athletic performance is boosted by 15% when listening to music. If walking or performing resistance training, 120 beats per minute (BPM) has been shown to be the most effective. If you’re a Spotify user, here’s a great blend of music fitting within that magic 120BPM range.
If performing something a little faster-paced, such as running, spinning, or boxing, 160BPM seems to be the way to go! Check out another playlist hitting those beats below.
Dress for battle!
By simply taking off your work clothes and replacing them with your workout clothes, things can turn around rather rapidly. Not only are you ridding yourself of the weight of the day and thus subconsciously telling your mind that it’s time to move on, but you’re also replacing those clothes with you’re new battle armor. Yes, the day was tough, but you’re much tougher. A study conducted by Healthline found that 9 out of 10 people feel much more motivated to exercise when putting on their workout gear.
Go on, suit up like that warrior preparing for all-out combat!
Remind yourself.
It’s important to regularly take a moment to consider why you’re exercising in the first place. What are your goals? Why do you want to reach them? What other rewards come from exercising consistently? Would you be proud of yourself if you got this workout done? By answering these simple questions, you’ll come up with the answers that need to be heard. You’ll boost your self-confidence, and project your goals right in front of you. Dangling the carrot, if you will. Remember, you are your own boss here, hold yourself responsible the same way your professional boss would hold you responsible if you skipped a day of work.
Later = Never. Do it now.
Get one foot in the door.
The most challenging step is often the first. American author and social scientist BJ Fogg famously noted the importance of merely getting started. He described the act of flossing his teeth to be a habit that needed to be built but often struggled to build it. Therefore, he committed every night to floss just one tooth. After flossing one tooth, he could declare himself victorious. However, as you could imagine, preparing to floss was the hard part, and that was already out of the way! Commit to getting your foot in the door. Start the workout, complete just one exercise, walk 1/4th of your target distance, and from there, consider yourself a success – but I guarantee you’ll push through and complete the entire workout (most of the time!).
How will you feel after?
If it’s already been a bad day, just imagine how it will feel if you skip a workout. Ever hear of those feel-good neurotransmitters called endorphins? Well, they have been shown to trigger a positive feeling similar to that of morphine! Your stress levels will be reduced and your self-esteem will be through the roof. You’ll be more motivated to eat a healthier dinner, and you’ll sleep much better as a result of a little physical activity.
Remember, there’s still time to turn the day into a positive one.
Go out and own it.