4 tips to stay Motivated to Exercise

Happy new year! Probably the time when most people decide to add moving their bodies as part of their routine. The workouts begin, you go hard, and then they start to get less, and less until they are non existent. Does this sound like a pattern you are familiar with? I see this a lot. Even in myself. Someone will come to me with a hefty goal of working out 3x per week for an hour, only to quit completely weeks later.

Here are some of my tips to stay motivated!

1. Love yourself as you are

Come to your movement practice from a place of love and appreciation for your body. Your body is AMAZING. Allow yourself to love it. Notice how any movement makes you FEEL instead of focusing on how you look. If you pay attention to the how it feels rather than external results you are more likely to stay motivated.

2. Change your environment to make moving your body as easy as possible

If you are trying to motivate yourself to do something you don't want to do, you have to make it as easy as possible. Create a space you can go to and move. Even if it is just placing a yoga mat in view in the corner. You probably won't touch those weights if they are tucked away in the back of the closet. You won't be unrolling your yoga mat if it is still in its packaging.

3. Pair an exercise with an existing habit

Behaviours are more likely to stick if you pair it with something you already do. For example, every time you brush your teeth, do 5 squats. Get creative and have some fun!

4. Set the bar LOW!

What? Why wouldn't we aim high?? I'm not saying that is bad, but don't you feel pretty good about yourself when you accomplish something? Set a super attainable goal that makes you feel good when you achieve it. If you go beyond your goal, GREAT, but don't raise the bar just yet. Keep at it and see what happens. Maybe running that full marathon you've been talking about?

The ability to move is such a gift! Have fun and be creative!

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