10 ways to motivate yourself to workout & How am I motivated?

One thing we all need to work out every day is “Motivation”. We want to lose weight but sometimes we are super energetic and most of the times we are tired and super lazy. What is it that keeps me going? Am I lazy too? and what are the ways you can motivate yourself? Read on…

When I started my workout journey I did all types of workouts like weight lifting, HIIT, aerobics, Zumba, gym, Pilates etc. My Instagram was full of different kinds of fitness profiles and I would watch them and try them. What mattered to me then was that I’m moving but I was not enjoying it. I did not follow any diet, in fact, I worked out to lose on what I ate and hence my weight never really reduced. But then I realized yoga was something I enjoyed doing and I felt like doing it every day because every day was a new challenge for me.

How was every day a new challenge? So, Yoga has all levels of asanas that we are supposed to do. I practiced and practiced until I get the final posture and when I finally get into the posture… No words can describe the feeling of that achievement! Example: I was never able to do a headstand by jumping on the wall. I tried jumping for 3months and finally, I got up there after 3 months of practice. I started experiencing immense pleasure & happiness every day and reaching the final posture of every asana had become my goal.

What I learned from all this is– we should not just workout and exercise for the sake of it but observe what you love doing the most and then follow those workout series. If you love dancing then take dancing classes or join Zumba. Just do what you love.

I do have days when I don’t feel like working out and doing Yoga. But if that is my laziness then I take my mat and do poses I absolutely love doing, sometimes I even come close to my goal on the days I feel lazy. I end such lazy mood yoga sessions with pranayamas & mantra chanting which again is my favorite. If it is because I am tired and low on energy then I just listen to my body and rest.

10 ways you can motivate yourself to workout?

1.Choose the workout you love to do.

2.If you feel lazy, get up and just move even if it is for 10-15mins. Just go!

3.Follow some of your favorite fitness pages/accounts on social media (you will feel like moving looking at them working out)

4.Set a goal and keep reminding yourself of it.Walk as much as you can.

5.Choose walking for distances less than 2kms.Look at yourself in the mirror and click photos. (see how your body changes)

6.Take photos and videos while you are working out. (You can delete them later & take another one tomorrow, you will exercise for good photos & videos)

7.Take a challenge with your friend in exchange for a good amount of money or send your best friend video and photos of you working out and give money on the day you don’t send the same.

8.Join classes and attend them regularly.

9.If possible choose a class that is a little far from your home so you can walk to the class.

10.Keep posting your progress on social media, it will help you keep going as people will start asking you about your progress.

Choose your way to motivate yourself and always remain “consistent” in whatever you do.

Comment/ mail me if you have any other ways to motivate yourself.

Thank you for reading!

Nikita Shinde