Here was my situation: I wanted to be fit and have a healthier lifestyle but I was not motivated enough to work out. Sure, I ate pretty healthy foods, I slept almost 8 hours a night and I did SOME physical activity through-out my day (speed walking to Starbucks for a coffee totally counts) but I’ve never liked exercising.
I got average grades in PE class, I played some sports in High School but not competitively and the last thing on my mind when I wake up in the morning is that I should probably lace up for a quick jog.
But I recently got into a relationship (yay for me) and he’s a fit guy and he has motivated me to be a fit girl. I started small with a few yoga classes and moved my way up biking and jogging.
It took some trial and error though, I didn’t just all of the sudden start exercising weekly, it definitely took a lot of motivation on my end to keep going. But to help you babes out on your quest for a healthier life, here are four tips that’ll help motivate you to keep exercising.
1. Find Something you like Doing
My gym offers different classes for different levels of fitness and interest. I made the mistake of attending an intense class (in my defense, I had no idea it was going to be that crazy) that focused on core strength and I was totally turned off working out for a few weeks – this might be because I was in SO much pain. However, there are some classes that I found more enjoyable like athletic-dance classes and the mini activity boot camps. So do some research, try different things, and find something that’s compatible with your rhythm.
2. Schedule in Time To Exercise
This may seem like too much organization (because yes, there is such a thing) but that excuse of “I’ll just wake up early tomorrow morning and do it” never actually works out.
The American Heart Association recommends at least 25 minutes of vigorous activity three times a week. So as long as you can fit in three good half-an-hour sessions, you’re good to go, which is great for all of us busy babes.
3. Go Shopping
I know this suggestion made you smile as soon as you read it. You know how having an amazing hair day, or having your makeup on fleek, can totally change your mental state of your day? Well the same goes if you look like a boss in your workout gear. Match it up, throw on some vibrant colours and patterns (because you’ll probably never wear that kind of stuff on a regular basis) and feel great while working out. I promise you, it makes a huge difference compared to throwing on some old sweats and a baggy tee.
4. Remember That Your Health Matters the Most
Finally, remember that exercise is important for your health and not just a method to be thinner. Your worth is not determined by the number you see on that scale. Your health will greatly improve, as well as your mood and your mental health. Focusing on feeling better rather than looking better is a healthy mindset that will keep you motivated.
