Reward Yourself: How to Keep Motivated When it Comes to Fitness

How wonderful would it be if you could eat anything you want, then kick back and unwind, and still maintain an amazing figure? While yes, some women are lucky enough to have this be their reality, the fact is that for most women, staying in shape and looking great actually takes a bit of effort – like working out.

However, while your goal may be to drop 15 pounds and work off that muffin top that seems to have become a stationary part of your anatomy, if you aren’t seeing results right away, you may find yourself losing motivation.

Losing the drive for exercise is a common problem. People have become accustomed to instant gratification, so when desired results aren’t seen instantly, tossing in the towel is second nature. The trick to actually achieving your weight loss and figure changing goals, though, is to stick with it.

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But how do you go about keeping yourself motivated to work out? Here are some simple ways to become your own cheerleader and reach your weight loss goals.

Remember your reason.

Why is it that you want to lose weight? Whether it’s because of your upcoming vacation or next year’s high school reunion, in order to stay motivated to work out, keep your objective in mind. Every time you start to think about throwing in the towel, remember why you’re working out and keep thinking about it. If you quit, you may not be able to fit into that dress you so want to wear for your reunion.

Make it fun!

Working out has the potential to become pretty monotonous after a while. Going to the gym and running on the treadmill and climbing those stationary stairs eventually turns into a chore. Keep yourself interested in working out by mixing it up! Rather than repetitive trips to the gym, think outside the box. Play a game of tennis, swim a few laps, go for a hike, or play a game of volleyball with your friends. When the workout is fun, you’ll be more likely to stay motivated.

Treat yourself.

Reward yourself with a special treat whenever you reach a specific goal. For example, if your goal is to lose 7 pounds, when you get there, buy yourself a few new articles of clothing or plan a special trip to celebrate. Sometimes you need to be rewarded for doing a job well done—it may be just the thing to keep you going.

With a little incentive, you can keep yourself on the right workout track. Give it a try and see what a difference it makes in achieving your weight loss goals.

Tara Heath is a freelance writer in Southern California. While she doesn’t always stay consistent with her fitness plans, she finds that employing these tactics keeps her motivated and excited. She contributes to the Candy Concepts Inc. blog.