Let me begin by making a confession. I work out five to six days a week, but I don't like it. The truth is I never have, but it has now become such a part of my life I can't see myself not doing it. I've been working out consistently for 17 years but trying to stay motivated year after year is becoming a challenge. It could be the aging process or could be that I've just been doing it for so long that I'm tired. Whatever the case, the goal is to keep my body moving well for as long as I can, and to consider different ways to remain motivated to do so.
The first time I ever worked out I immediately made a vow following that experience. I told myself I was never doing it again. Why? First of all, because it wasn't fun and second, because I had never been so sore in my life. The vow stuck for a while until I realized that even though I was a naturally thin girl, my body was changing, and some effort had to be made on my part. With a little bit of time, research, and trial and error, I was able to build a routine that worked for me and has kept me going these last several years.
In the beginning, I had excuses. Having no time and not liking the gym were at the top of my list. Once I made adjustments like getting up earlier and finding workouts I could do from home, my confidence and consistency grew, and my excuses went out the door. One of the best things I learned early on was to keep it simple. Starting off with workouts like walking or body weight exercises helped me build a routine and stamina until I was ready to try something new. Before moving on from those exercises, I was able to challenge myself more by adding walking weights, and bands for certain exercises to increase the intensity of my workouts. These are simple additions to an already simple routine, but they can make a big difference, and help keep my routine from getting old.
I know a lot of people prefer the gym, but I have never been a fan. It's just easier for me to get up and go downstairs to work out than to drive to and from a gym. Now don't get me wrong, it takes discipline, and if going to a gym is what you prefer then do what it takes to keep moving. The goal is to stay motivated and doing things you like will help the task of working out seem a little more tolerable. Find what you like and give it your best which also includes the type of exercises you do.
I learned early on to try different workouts to help me break up the monotone of my routine. Kickboxing, spinning, and step aerobics are just a few exercises I've tried, and by doing so I know that I don't like spinning, but I love step aerobics. Don't be afraid to switch things up from time to time to give both your body and your mind a break. And remember it's ok to take a break. As with most things we need breaks, and this also helps motivate us to go hard when we jump back into our routines. Why not also consider a work out buddy and having little challenges to encourage each other? My daughter and I both enjoy exercise challenges, but sometimes we just enjoy a simple walk or bike ride through the neighborhood.
While I'm not a personal trainer, I have developed tools that I have applied over time to get me moving, and hopefully it will help me stay moving even as I transition through different stages of life. My goal is to still be working out 10 years from now which would be my mid-50s. That may very well look different than it does now as far as how I work out, but that's ok too. I have set a goal and made a commitment to myself, and maybe that’s the best advice I can give. Make a commitment to yourself. I have committed to myself to be healthy, stay active, and hopefully be a good example to my family that aging isn’t as bad as some people make it out to be. How do you stay motivated to keep a consistent workout routine?
Comments