We’ve all been there. We had the best intentions. Our training plan was good to go.
But…
A big project at work, an illness, or just not seeing the results you were hoping for can derail your motivation. Staying motivated when life gets in the way takes some serious finesse and what motivates your best running friend might not motivate you. Feeling uninspired and unmotivated is normal from time to time. Recognize this fact and that will help you get past it. Here are a few other tips which may help keep you going when life throws you a curve ball.
Surround yourself with like-minded people. If these people also share your same desire for a healthy lifestyle, they may be able to get you “out there” when you otherwise wouldn’t go. Your support crew can be your biggest asset when your motivation starts to lag. These supports may be friends and family from your daily life, or even in the social media world. From a workout accountability standpoint, Twitter, Daily Mile, and My Fitness Pal are outstanding for developing a network of accountability partners.
Keep your eyes on the prize. Making a life style change, whether that be weight loss, getting enough sleep, or sticking with an exercise program, really is a marathon and not a sprint. The “prize” is different for everyone so keep in mind why you started in the first place.
Set realistic goals. Deciding to train for your first marathon at the same time you are finishing your graduate thesis might not be the smartest move. Yes, life can throw you those curve balls from time to time, but recognizing what you may have coming down the pike and taking steps to manage or avoid issues before they arrive can save yourself much grief. Along these same lines is creating a schedule. Putting your workouts on the calendar and setting up running dates with friends makes them much tougher to skip.
Make your goals concrete. Creating a vision board is a great way to keep your goals literally right in front of you. Write down your goals and post them where you will see them every day. Include the steps you need to take to get there. I have my “big scary goal” on the side of my refrigerator right next to my word of the year – Believe. Some days I think there is no way I’m going to reach that goal but seeing it and the cue that I need to believe in myself and my training really does help. There are some great DIY tutorials on Pinterest for creating vision boards.
Motivation really does come from within but if you can be proactive you may have some tools in place when life gets in the way and your motivation takes a nose dive. A support network and realistic goals on the front end can help keep you on track. Visualizing your goals and keeping your eyes on the prize will help get you where you want to go.
What is your best tip for staying motivated when life gets in the way?
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