The motivation to lose weight and get in shape is probably the most important factor in gauging how successful you'll be at reaching your fitness goals. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, the psychology of wanting to get in shape is just as important as the method you choose to get in shape. Motivation can come in a variety of methods. Experiment with different methods and choose one that you feel works best.
Workout Partner
A workout partner can be a great way to stay motivated because being around someone who shares the same motivation to exercise and get in shape keeps you on your toes. You'll also be more likely to show up to your gym appointments or workout sessions because you may not want to be the one to flake. Workouts are a lot of fun when you have someone to talk to and it can break the silence and monotony of working out alone.
Competition
Competition is another great form of motivation to get in shape. After all, in order to be the best you have to train like the best. When you're in a competitive environment, making progress and developing a particular skill almost always requires that you be in decent physical condition. A game of basketball, tennis or volleyball can really help you burn calories and the competition can take your mind off of the actual physical activity required to compete.
Keep a Journal
According to the American Council on Exercise, keeping a journal allows you to track your progress and see what you need to do in order to improve. There's nothing more motivating than seeing that you weigh less than you did last week or that you can lift more weight than you could last session. The journal quantifies your journey through fitness and reminds you on paper how far you've come and how much closer you are to reaching your goals.
Fitness Jar
Similar to the infamous swear jar, the fitness jar is a form of motivation that "punishes" you for not going to the gym or skipping a workout. Try setting an amount you have to pay to the jar and stick to it. For example, if your daily gym session is supposed to last 45 minutes and you only do 30, then you owe $15 to the jar--a dollar a minute. At the end of your program if you haven't reached your goals you might use the money to purchase additional motivation in the form of a personal trainer or group fitness classes.
Personal Trainer
Probably one of the best forms of motivation is to hire a personal trainer. Of course they're there to make sure you perform all the exercises correctly and keep track of your progress, but the main job of a trainer is to motivate you. A trainer who cannot motivate, no matter how much they know or how in shape they look are practically useless. Since trainers come in all shapes and sizes, you may want to try a few out before you find one you settle with. The most motivating trainers are usually charismatic, sincere, knowledgeable and professional.
References
- "ACSM's Resources for the Personal Trainer"; American College of Sports Medicine; 2010
- "American Council on Exercise Personal Trainers Manual"; Cedric X. Bryant; 2003
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