The Science Secrets That Will Help You Stay Motivated to Exercise

Any fitness regime requires dedication and determination, but how can you stay motivated to exercise? If you struggle to achieve your fitness goals or find going to the gym a drag, take a look at these science secrets that will help you to stay motivated:

Don’t be too strict with yourself

Setting rigid timetables and strict schedules may not be the most effective way for you to tackle a fitness goal. If you schedule a specific workout for every Thursday at 7 am, it’s easy to skip a day altogether if something prevents you from doing it. However, if you’re more flexible and commit to exercising at least three times a week, for example, it’s easier to maintain your schedule – and harder to break it.

Hold yourself accountable

Being held accountable for your actions can be a great motivator. That’s why many people choose to work out with a personal trainer or take part in semi private personal training groups. When you’ve got other people counting on you, you’ll be less likely to skip a session at the gym. Alternatively, find a friend who’s working on their own fitness goals and hit the gym together.

Set micro-goals

If you’ve got a lot of weight to lose or you’re aiming for well-defined muscles, it might take some time for you to hit your overall goal. Often, this stops people from even starting their fitness journey, as they assume their goals are unattainable.

Instead of thinking about the end result, set yourself micro-goals instead. Searching for ‘gyms near me’ and finding somewhere you can train regularly is all you need to do in order to get started. Whether you aim to lose a pound or go from doing 5 squats to 10, micro-goals will fuel the cycle of achievement and help you to stay motivated.

Get some competition

Some friendly competition could be just what you need to keep you focused as you enhance your fitness. Many gyms hold informal competitions for beginners, intermediates and experienced fitness fans, so this could be a good way for you to up the ante. Alternatively, you can have friendly rivalry within your social circle or track your exercise and upload it to online challenges and compete with people from all over the world.

Look for support

Sometimes, all the motivation you need is someone reminding you what a good job you’re doing. Let your friends know that you’re embarking on a new fitness plan and ask them to rally around and support you when you need. Share your progress on social media or let family members know how you’re doing and use their encouragement to spur you on.

Find New Ways to Exercise

If you’re not inspired by your current regime, try something new! There are endless ways to stay active, so you don’t have to be stuck with a training plan you hate. Instead, find exercise that you genuinely enjoy and you’ll be amazed at how quickly you start to look forward to your training sessions.