If you have ever tried to make a change in your life or ever attempted to start or restart a new routine or habit- one thing you would have discovered is CHANGE IS HARD. You always seem to start off with the best intentions and determination only to find yourself right back at square 1 days or months later.
The first thing we, Change Seekers, must understand is that change is not easy. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it! So how do we stay motivated and keep the pumped through the process of change?
Visualize:
We have all heard the sayings "seeing is believing" or "out of sight, out of mind". Truth is, if we can't see something, its very easy for it to fall out of our mind, or make us feel discouraged and therefor unmotivated. In Fitness, people give-up when they do not see fast results from their fitness program.
Visualization activates our creativity and our inner eye to see something that we might not have yet. For example- seeing myself 40 pounds lighter participating in my first 5K and focusing on the feeling of having accomplished that amazing goal is a powerful image that can continuously spark your motivation.
Do This:- Think of your one goal! Spend 5 focused minutes EVERY DAY seeing and thinking about having accomplished that goal.
- Write a few sentences describing your visualization in your journal.
- Think of 3 words to describe how you feel in your visualization.
- Bring up those feelings and images every time you face distractions (anything that takes you away from your goal).
Socialize:
Humans are social beings and for the most part we all enjoy some kind (how ever small) of human interaction. It has been proven that exercising with a person (or group) actually increases chances of you sticking with a fitness program. And that makes sense right? You have someone to push you, hold you accountable, talk to, and compete with (and visa-versa).
Do This:- Call a friend and tell them about your goal (any type of goal). Find a way to work together, push each other, and hold each other accountable.
- Get a group together or join a group whose members have the same goal. This can be a walking group, moms fitness group, group exercise program, etc. There are many free and paid groups around- find one! If you cant find one- create one! Get social and stay moving!
Record:
We all know the power of tracking, or at least we can imagine how helpful it could be to see and know how we spend our time and where we have come from. As a fitness coach, I encourage my clients to keep track of there activity (check off when they exercise and for how long) and regularly record progress they have made with their goals.
- Decide on 1 or 3 positive behaviors to track and start recording them. Examples: record how many cups of water you drink, or how many 30 minute exercises sessions you complete per week, etc
- Create a spreadsheet, print it out, put it somewhere you can see every day!
Realize:
There are a few things we must realize when it comes to our health, wellness and fitness. Here are 11 powerful little truths we must realize. They do not really need explanation. Once we truly grasp one or two of them- we can find the match to set our inner motivation on fire!
Do This:
Simply go through the list, figure out where you stand in each point, find a way to come to terms with a few of them, and let them motivate you!Realize that no one can force you to do something you don't want to do (so make a decision)
Realize that you are the only one who has the power to change your own life (so do it)
Realize that pity parties, tears, complaining and negative thinking has never helped anyone do anything great.
Realize that change IS hard, and can be slow and frustrating- but what lies on the other side of that hill IS accomplishment, and can be new and amazing.
Realize that only you can fix it.
Realize that constancy is KEY!
Realize that you brought yourself here.
Realize that your body was made for moving and it is counting on you!
Realize that no human being can save you.
Realize that if nothing changes.... nothing changes.
Realize that your have all you need within you to do this! And you are capable!
