Motivation: The Bottom Line
We’ve tackled setting goals, sources and types of motivation you can use, and we’ve reconnected with our true why behind wanting to achieve our goals. This week, it’s time for the tough love.
No one is motivated all of the time. It just doesn’t happen. We all have those days that even with the strongest of “why’s”, dragging ourselves to the gym seems impossible. We don’t have the motivation to workout. I’ve been there, chances are you have been as well. Unfortunately, there’s no quick fix or easy trick. Sometimes you have to do it anyway, even if you’re not motivated to do it.
Once I’m at the gym, I either start small, do what I enjoy, or do it anyway.
Start Small
Set a goal of only warming up. Foam roll, go through the mobility and stability drills. Add in a couple correctives. Do your core work. Then assess how you feel. Just starting can be the hardest part. Once you have the ball in motion, it’s easy to keep it rolling in the right direction.
Do What You Enjoy
If I’m lacking motivation or focus, and starting small didn’t get me in the zone, I’ll do things that I enjoy. For me, this might be squats or deadlifts (my favorite exercises). While I’m usually an advocate for staying on a plan and measuring progress, in the case of lacking motivation, I don’t mind straying from the program.
Do It Anyway
Sometimes, motivation is lacking for an extended period of time. To stay on track with your goals, you may have days that you just have to do it anyway. No one said that it’s going to be easy, despite the best laid plans. There’s no quick fixes and shortcuts. Some days, the work just has to be done.
Motivation is tricky. It’s hard to grasp some days and others it’s overflowing. There are multiple sources and it varies by the situation. By understanding the sources best for our situation, connecting with a deeper “why” and setting strategies in place for when it is lacking, we’re able to push through and reach our health and fitness goals.
Key Word(s): Do it anyway!