How Do I Stay Motivated?

I often find myself stumped when someone asks me what it is that gives me motivation? What is it that drives me to keep on moving?

I spent the majority of my earlier years being very unmotivated and, even when I started to cycle, it was still often an effort to haul myself onto the bike - it felt like it was still a chore! However, that has now all changed. I can now say that exercising is often the highlight of my day and, oddly, I love eating healthy!

I guess what keeps my motivation fresh is knowing that it’s not all about stripping back and pushing yourself to the extreme, but instead is a matter of moderation! I have some days where I am partial to the biscuits or where I decide to chill on the sofa and read but I know that these are okay because they give me the energy I need to get back on the bike, weights or yoga and get moving again!

So… what’s changed? What makes me get up and go again that didn’t exist in my younger years?

I would definitely say it has been getting a fantastic and understanding personal trainer. I know that’s a bit of a big claim to make, so lets unpack why and how this has made the all difference for me and how I think it would help you make a change too!

Firstly, I think a lot of it comes down to accountability. I have told someone else I am going to show up, that I want to achieve something and want to exercise and they’ve told me how I can do it. To not do it, then, would not only seem like I’ve let myself down, but also let that other person down too. I think we can often let it slide when we give up on ourselves when you’re in that place of being unhappy with your body, but it’s more difficult, for me anyway, to think I have let another individual down as well!  I am sure a psychologist would have a field day with that. But it’s the truth - that’s what keeps me motivated!

Secondly, I have seen the results and the changes. It has been a long journey and, I’ll admit it was initially about loosing weight. Seeing the numbers go down on the scales from a healthy mix of exercising and eating right was a great motivator. But, there does come a point however, different of course for each individual, that loosing weight is not sustainable. With the help and sympathy of my personal trainer, I learnt to look at my body in a different way.  I am now focused on making it feel, not just look, stronger and healthier. For me, this means fighting the muscle loss of ageing and keeping movin’ and groovin’ as much as possible as I edge into my 50s. Seeing the changes that this brings, feeling stronger and full of energy, is definitely very motivational and reaching new, different and often higher goals of mine never fails to get me excited!

In light of this, it’s important to set short, medium and long term goals so that you can measure how you are doing and remind yourself why you are doing it. Remember, these don’t have to be numerical, they don’t have to appear on scales or be indicative of the weight you can lift, but can also be based on how you specifically feel in yourself. This definitely helps with motivation and focus and a good Personal Trainer will always ensure those goals are realistic, achievable and measurable.

I guess I have to acknowledge that I am a little competitive!  I try not to compete against others but, I will admit, I do get a kick out of being faster or, indeed, better, than someone else in something as I’m sure we all do. Mostly, however, I am competitive with myself. I am always trying to improve on my previous personal bests and always want to get the most out of my own body! I get a buzz from achieving things physically that I never realised I would enjoy or was capable of and that certainly keeps me going!

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, it’s the support you get from a personal trainer. Of course, my friends and family have been great, but they can’t always quite see where I’m coming from and I know they can’t do anything to correct it! Having that supportive shoulder of a personal trainer to lean on, who understands your goals and where you have come from, is key to keeping motivation high when it comes to healthy living!

I guess that’s where I come in! Having battled myself with self-doubt, changes to lifestyle and knowing what works for others might not work for me, I can always be on hand to understand, sympathise and listen when things get a little hard and you feel like giving up. If this seems like something you need and, let’s be honest, we could all do with another support system once in a while, then why not contact me and take full advantage of my free consultation service? I love a good chat and would love to help you stay motivated whatever the weather!