Part 3 - How to Find and Keep Your Workout Motivation
How come some people are able to stick to a workout program long term, and some of us get stuck in a vicious start-quit-restart cycle?
There are a few things that the long-termers have in common. I'm going to break these steps down in a series of blog posts to help you stick to your workout regimen, too. Part 3 includes the actionable steps you can take to set yourself up for success in your regimen.
If you haven't read Part 1 about finding your "why" and Part 2 about finding your "what," go back and check them out first.
Motivation Vs Habit
Motivation is great to get started, but habit will save you when motivation flags. Humans are really adaptable, and we can build habits quickly - good and bad habits. I've gotten up before the sun rises to work out for more than a decade, almost every day. Not because I am so incredibly motivated all the time, but because it's a habit I don't even have to think about.
Make working out your habit - just "something you do" - in the same way brushing your teeth or listening to a podcast or making your bed is just what you do. Commit to a daily schedule for two weeks that includes your workout time. If you do it for two weeks, you're well on your way to making it part of your life for good.
The bad news is that you can fall out of your habit as quickly as you started it - so if you miss a day or two, it's absolutely critical that you dig deep and get right back on it, no excuses.
Three Tips To Create Your Workout Habit
1. Get Accountable. Tell someone your goal (or tell EVERYONE your goal.) Write it down. Make a bet with yourself or someone else. Find that workout buddy who's going to be looking for you at the gym. Track your progress to your goals.
2. Workout early in the morning. We're all busy, but very few of us have appointments at 5 am. If your schedule allows it, early morning workouts are great because you get the work done before you've even had a chance to waffle about doing it or not. Also, when your workouts are planned for afternoon or evening, there are many things in life that can interrupt or intervene to make you miss out.
3. Invest in your training. It's human nature - paying money means we're paying attention. If I have paid a coach or gym to work with me, I'm going to be that much more likely to attend and do the work. Buy yourself some workout equipment or hire someone to help you. It makes a difference. We do that kind of thing at CrossFit Algiers, and we do it better than anyone else.