Lacking Motivation? No More Excuses!

Often when coaching my clients the number one thing I hear about is their lack of motivation. They want to workout and see the progress. They love their workouts when they are actually doing them. It is just they feel they are lacking the motivation to actually get started each day.

So let’s talk about motivation. Committing to practicing Yoga or Pilates (or any workout really) is just a stepping stone to a greater reward and that is making a stronger feeling YOU. However, the only person who can make the change is YOU. Don’t be upset by the result you didn’t get with the work you didn’t do. Am I right?

I’ve heard just about every excuse in the book:

• “I’m too tired from work when I get home to do a workout”
• “I forgot to set time aside to practice or workout”
• “I had a bad day and just didn’t feel like working out”

However, what I hear from these excuses is really “I’m not a priority”. One of my favorite quotes is from RuPaul and I think it really sums it up.

Loving Yourself First

Let’s take that even one step further to say “If you are not taking care of yourself, how can you properly take care of others?” We need to set aside some time to practice self care, even if that is only ten minutes a day. Taking just ten minutes a day to focus on YOU will have greater benefits in the end. It will lead you to find a practice of self care and self love.

I know we all have things that go on in our lives, and sometimes life just gets in the way. However, you must take care of yourself first before you are fully able to take care of others. Take this time now to really commit to this practice and start engaging in some self care and radical self love.

Remember, the only bad workout is the one that you didn’t do.

Workout Motivation Tips

Here’s some tips to help motivate you to hit your mat or get in a workout this week:

1. Reward Yourself – Set a goal such as “I will do _____ amount of workouts for _____ amount of time”. For instance “I will do three workouts a week, every week for the next three months” Then think of a way to reward yourself at the end of your goal. Maybe you treat yourself to a massage or maybe you buy those shoes you’ve been eyeing. Having a reward at the end will give you a goal to work towards and help keep you on track.
2. Keep a Journal – after every workout, write down in a journal how you felt. When you are low on motivation you can read back over the last time you worked out and how great you felt afterwards. It will motivate you to hit your mat. You can even find apps that will allow you to log your workouts and make a note of how great you felt afterwards.
3. Remember Why You Started – Think about why you want to work out or make these health changes. What was your aim in doing so? Keep that in mind and let it be a motivating factor to working out.
4. Set Up Yourself Up for Success – literally set out everything you need to get in your Pilates/Yoga practice or workout. Keep your mat out in a spot that when you walk by and have time you can just get down and do your practice. Lay out your clothes and everything you need the night before so in the morning you are ready to go and don’t have any excuses.
5. Find an Accountability Buddy – find a partner to do your practice or workout with. Show them the moves and what you have learned so far. Motivate and cheer each other on. Even if you are not physically working out with them, you can motivate each other via text. My boyfriend and I make a workout or doing something physical like hiking a part of everyday we spend together. And on days where we don’t see each other we will text each other selfies during our workouts and after we have finished as a way to motivate and support each other to get our workouts in. Also, ain’t nothing wrong with a little healthy competition am I right?
6. Time for You – set a time each day that is your time to practice self care and get your practice in. Even if you have to get up an extra 15 minutes to do so. Set an alarm on your phone to wake you up early so you can get in your workout. Think of how great you will feel starting your day with a quick and energizing practice.
7. Check In – Check in with me or someone else daily to let me know you did your practice. It will keep you accountable to finishing strong towards your  goal.

I hope these tips motivate you to keep up a regular and consistent workout schedule. The next best thing is me calling you every morning to encourage you to get on your mat. But sadly, I can’t do that for everyone. Let me know in the comments a few other ways that work for you to keep you motivated.