Written by contributing blogger: Sonia Sahota.
With the New Year creeping up on us, it is important to motivate yourself with ways that gets you up off that lazy couch and working out. Self-motivation isn’t easy after having spent the holidays eating so many delicious meals and sweets. That pumpkin pie sure was tasty but sweating off those extra calories will make you feel incredible when you put on your sparkly or dapper New Years outfit.
I love spending Christmas with my holiday favorites like a warm slice of pecan or apple pie with a scoop of ice cream on top. I can never say no to a gooey chocolate chip cookie. However, I always find it difficult to make it to the gym after the holidays are over and the real world kicks in again. I knew I wasn’t the only one lacking motivation before the New Year. This is why I decided to find exciting ways that will push me to make it to the gym, workout at home, or just go for that quick run. Just know that any workout is a workout, whether it is an hour and a half long or thirty minutes. Everything counts and will help work towards a healthy lifestyle.
Here are four simple cost-efficient motivational ways that will get yourself out of those pajamas and into your athletic wear! You may have thought about some of these but never understood the importance and great effects the simplest actions can have.
#1. The first motivation tip is very simple and easy to do. Just create alarms that remind you of what time you should be at the gym or start working out at home. Write motivating messages as the alarm name such as, “You will feel great after that workout! Kick some butt at the gym! or You will kill it during leg day! Keep it up!” This is great to have throughout your day whether you need to get out of bed, remind yourself before or after work or just fitting time around those busy schedules. Naming these alarms in a way that reminds you of your strength can truly be empowering and put a smile on your face. Positive motivation is essential to keep up a healthy lifestyle and this simple technique really can go a long way.
#2. The second motivation tip is creating a calendar with pre-planned workout routines, gym class times you would like to attend, or simple workouts that you can fit in throughout your day. Afterwards, you can cross off each day that is completed gaining satisfaction from your hard work. You can either create a pre-planned month or write your workouts after you complete them each day. Then when you look back at your past workouts you can see your success and accomplishments giving you motivation to keep on going and not giving up! This one is my personal favorite because you can get creative and add photos to remind you of your goals, schedule in a variety or different workouts with friends and lookup new workouts on YouTube to try out in your living room.
#3. The third motivation tip is creating a new music playlist for each week of the month. I know that music can truly make or break your routine. Having the perfect upbeat music for a run or a fast paced workout vs. a relaxing song for yoga is essential. This may take a little work but it is a fun activity to do on the weekend during down time, early in the morning or with friends during a girls night in. You can find new music and share playlists with friends. Having applications like Pandora, Spotify or Soundcloud makes this simple. When I have a new playlist, I get super excited to make it to my workout to jam out to my favorite songs. And of course you can always check out one of Radiate Daily playlists here.
#4. The fourth motivation tip is creating a list of the reasons why you started workout out in the first place and keep it on your refrigerator, your phone at work and more. Keep them in areas where you visit most or before you make impulse decisions like eating that doughnut before your workout. Re-read this list whenever you have doubts or do not feel motivated. Emotions are a huge part of our lazy decision-making. Remind yourself why you began working out and why you want to continue. Some of these reasons could involve feeling good about yourself, being strong, to prove others that you do not quit, swimsuit season, vacation, feeling fabulous at a college reunion, being healthy, etc.
Creating motivation is not easy. People who give up on routines or skip workouts need to realize it is sometimes just psychological. You can get to that workout and kick butt. However, the first step before all of this is understanding yourself and your body. Understand what is right for you and what works.
Let us know what other tips have previously worked for you! Now excuse me while I go sneak in that quick dumbbell workout….my alarm just reminded me to feel strong while listening to my new playlist.
#radiatedaily