The love/ hate relationship of working out and reaching your wellness goals.
By Jessica Holt
Working out, relationships and accomplishing goals all have emotional, physical and mental commonalities and attachments. Working out takes both physical and emotional willpower and overcoming altering emotions is critical when it comes to staying consistent. Getting into a workout regimen that you absolutely love can be challenging. Though we love the benefits, we hate the process. One moment we're going hard and putting our best foot forward, and the next we experience a total relapse.
Managing a busy lifestyle and not knowing how to begin accomplishing your goals can also be a barrier. Set aside some time to reflect and figure out your why - your reason. Writing down your goals will put you on the fast track to success. Create a plan of action that breaks down where you currently are, where you want to end up and what changes you need to make to get there. Most people give up mentally before their bodies do.
You must find ways to stay motivated, however, being disciplined is crucial because success happens when you work even when motivation is lacking. Staying focused on your end goal and its benefits may give you that extra oomph needed to push through. Keeping those benefits in mind helps you tap into creative ways to execute your plans, improves memory and keeps you alert. When your why becomes greater than your desire to quit, you’ll have better success. Here are a few tips to get you started.
Why do people exercise? To stay healthy, have longevity of life and look and feel better, right? Consider the benefits of living a healthy life. The return on investment is creating a better, healthier you. Imagine how gratifying it will be when you finally reach your fitness goals. Find ways to increase the desire to integrate wellness into your life instead of treating it like a chore or an added daunting task. Incorporate health and wellness into your lifestyle, so that it becomes a fluid part of your daily routine.
Be flexible! Don’t get caught up in focusing on how long it should take to accomplish your fitness goals. The key is to remain consistent. Consistency is what drives results, even if it takes twice as long as you'd like.
Get an accountability partner, be it a friend or family member, a workout partner or just someone who is supporting your journey and rooting for you on the sidelines.
Execute. Set realistic goals that suit you, and then determine where and how you plan to begin.
Find your Vibe. Do you plan to work out alone or join an invigorating group exercise class? Find some outdoor workouts or downloaded apps that provide workouts you can do at home in your living room or basement. The best way to get through a workout is to create a bomb playlist which is sure to get your heart rate pumping and keep you motivated. You should also invest in comfortable, fashionable active wear to feel inspired. When you look good, you feel good!
Celebrate your small wins and accomplishments, and embrace the journey. Lace up and let’s get moving!