Here are some key concepts
do you hope to fit in this week?
that can help motivate you
to get to the gym more often!
We all need a little butt-kickin’ motivation every now and then to get moving!
It’s so easy in our busy, modern lives to start out our day with the best of intentions, but then end up blowing-off our workout plans.
The more the day progresses, the more danger there is of something unexpected interfering with our planned workout.
Even something as simple as eating the wrong thing for lunch can suck all the energy out of our bodies, making us too bloated and tired to even consider a workout.
Therefore, when I’m planning my workouts in my mind for the week ahead, I sometimes like to watch videos or read inspirational articles, in order to get motivated and to help myself stay on track with my fitness goals.
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How to Prepare Mentally for Your Best Workout
Here are 6 key concepts that can help inspire you to take even better care of yourself this week, especially when it comes to exercise.
#1: Motivate Yourself with Others’ Successes
What you may not know, is that the human flag pose is among the very hardest poses. It is the ultimate test of agility and strength. Talk about core muscles! This commercial gives you an idea of our potential as humans, when we take charge of our fitness, and condition our bodies for success!
Of course, I don’t expect you to do the human flag pose — but it can be so motivating to see what the human body can do when it is exercised regularly!
#2: Choose an Accountability Partner
Recently, I started meeting a buddy once a week at the gym to workout together. We build the day-and-time into our schedules as a regular, standing appointment. We’re having a lot of fun and, more importantly, we’re helping each other to stay on track as we move toward our health targets.
Having accountability partners can be pivotal in accomplishing your healthand fitness goals, too:
#3: Work with the Circumstances You Have
Some days — let’s face it — it just becomes almost impossible to tear yourself away from your desk to fit in a workout (if you have kids, this can be especially true).
Well, let’s not make anymore excuses — there are exercises you can do right at your desk, to help your spine and improve your posture! I actually just now did each of these stretches and I must admit — it felt great! Took just a couple of minutes.
If you spend daily time in front of a computer of laptop, you will find value in this:
#4: Be Mindful of Your Mood
You can still do something productive for your well-being, even if you don’t have time to go to the gym. One thing I like to do, when I’m too busy to fit in a whole workout, is to… do a handstand! All that blood running in the other direction to my brain — it’s a real mood-elevator!
Many yogis believe that it’s healthy and detoxifying to elevate your hips above your head, and I also like to do it because it improves my mood and mental clarity.
#5: Plan Ahead
One of the big questions you want to ask yourself if you’re wanting to get back into shape is, “Am I a morning person, or a night person?”
Generally, you’ll want to plan most of your workouts for when your mind is clearest, your enthusiasm is brightest, and your physical energy is highest. For me, that’s: mornings!
By the way, when your physical energy begins to improve from exercise, don’t be surprised if that, in turn, begins to also improve other areas of your life — such as your personal and professional relationships!
#6: Cut Yourself Some Slack
If you have a challenging time jump-starting your workouts again, resist the temptation to blame yourself for being undisciplined or disorganized. That only makes it worse! Instead, I strongly and kindly advise, that you celebrate those things that you’re already doing right:
When you find yourself procrastinating, it can be helpful to pause to imagine what you’ll feel like as you walk out of the gym right after having finished your workout. Close your eyes, breathe, and really try to visualize how you’ll feel when it’s all done — that sense of accomplishment, and your body humming with energy and clarity! Let that memory of that delicious, post-workout feeling motivate you to make it to the gym for the big payoff!
Our Longevity e-Newsletter is designed to provide you with the inspiration and accountability you need to make improvements in your use of time. Every two weeks, subscribers receive a new strategy. And, it’s free:
Sometimes when it’s time for me to go the gym and I’m just not ‘feelin’ it,’ watching fitness-themed videos inspires me to get moving. My current favorite is Step Up 3D!