I am asked a lot, how do I stay motivated? There are a lot of ways to stay motivated. I will discuss some major ways in this article.
If you can find a burning desire, on why you want to exercise or be healthy, then you will be unstoppable. If you keep your mind fixed on that burning desire, all the excuses will fall apart, never to be found again. As soon as you stop thinking about that powerful desire, then excuses and fear set in. Make sure you write it down, along with some of the other things we are going to go over today. Carry it with you, read it, and really feel it daily. So what could a potential burning desire be? Anything that gets you going, you know, raises your energy levels up; desire to be skinny, healthy, energetic, around when the kids are older, around for grandchildren, to run a 5k, to compete in some form of athletic event, to fit into a small sports car, to be able to touch your toes again, to swim your personal best, etc. Just make sure it is the most MOTIVATING thing for YOU.
Another way to stay motivated is to write down goals. Writing goals is so important, and without them, what are you shooting for? Without goals how do you know where you are going, and how to track what you are doing? MAKE GOALS, make a goal that you will stick to this week (I will exercise everyday this week), make a goal for the next month, 6 months, 1 year, and 5 years! Write them down on the same paper as your burning desire and be sure to carry them everywhere and read them daily. Don't forget to change them if needed. Many people ask me why it is so important to do so...here is why. You eat food daily to energize your body, hopefully you are feeding your body healthy foods. The same thing needs to happen with your mind, it needs daily motivation to stay energized!
On this same piece of paper, make some affirmations and read them DAILY. Affirmations help you to change your mindset, so if you do not like to exercise, you need an affirmation that says; Exercise makes me feel amazing, and I exercise daily!
Reading 10 pages of a motivation or health book a day is another great way to stay motivated. My wife and I try to read at least 10 pages of a good book a day. Yeah, we miss a day here and there, but we are very consistent! Reading enlightens you to new things and new ideas, and it is great for your brain. If you can believe this, I never read a book I did not have too read my whole life. I would even read the choose your own adventure books so that I did not have to read the whole book. It was not until I started to have a desire to better myself, that I started reading self development books all the time. Now I read with my wife, listen to motivational CD's in the car, and read on my phone often.
The last way to stay motivated, and this is a very important one. Pay attention to the thoughts in your head when you do not feel like doing a workout or even when you are feeling down. This can be a huge eye-opener for you, when you begin to discover that some of your unconscious thoughts are causing you to sabotage yourself. This one is the hardest of the list too, you have to really pay attention to what your brain is thinking at all times. It is like weeding out the garden so that the amazing crops can grow. You need to weed out any limiting thoughts so that you can truly prosper and live a healthy life.
You have taken a huge step in the right direction now that you have read this newsletter. The next step is to actually do the things listed, and watch the magic happen! I use the iLog1 app for the iPhone/iPad/iTouch to track my goals, write down affirmations, and even track my mood! If you do not like to use electronic devices, then make sure you carry that paper with you everywhere!
Say This: I love to exercise Daily!
Robert Jay Martin is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association and TRX certified. Improve your level of fitness with his success, knowledge, experience, & 4 year degree.
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