Stay Motivated!

Fitness journeys can be a struggle for everyone to start, maintain and achieve, which is generally due to a lack of motivation. Whether it's yet another new years resolution or a frantic end-of-winter dash to get that killer summer bod, all of us can fall off the train tracks at times and lose our drive and determination. Whatever your motivation, staying on track and pushing through even the toughest of days (or the coldest of mornings) will guarantee you the best results possible and will make it all worth it in the end.

Here are a few tips that you may find useful when trying to stay on track:

1. Set individual goals
While looking at pictures of Victoria's Secret models can motivate you to get off the couch, it is important to remember that you are not them. As much as you want to, you can't magically grow 20 centimetres over night. Ultimately, your main goal should be health and fitness, and achieving YOUR best physical state possible. Try setting goals related to your fitness, such as a new PB in weights or bettering your last run time/distance.

2. Write out your goals
In order to stay on track, writing out your personal goals can be a big help. One thing that you must remember in setting goals is making sure they are realistic. If you set physically unachievable goals , you are both going to push yourself WAY too hard and do yourself damage and you are only going to be disappointed when you don't reach them. Start by writing out your fitness aspirations and give yourself a time in which you want to achieve them. Put them somewhere that you can see them to make sure you keep a clear vision of where you are heading. Routine and maintenance is the only way you are going to see results.

3. Take progress pictures
For you to be able to see how far you have come, take regular pictures to compare to. If you feel like you aren't seeing any change, looking back at old pictures might be a nice surprise for you and a good reminder that you are on the right track. This can serve to be a MASSIVE confidence booster and can encourage you to stay motivated and keep pushing on!

4. Workout in groups
Sometimes, our toughest competitor is our self. If you set an alarm in the morning to go for a solo run, chances are you are just going to hit snooze and doze back off into la la land. However, if you've got workout partners waiting for you at the gym/park/pool etc... you HAVE to go to avoid disappointing them and vice versa.

5. Reward yourself
Whether it be with food, a trip away or a new pair of shoes, rewarding yourself can serve to reinforce the hard work that you have done. It can also push you to achieve your goals if you know that there is a bonus reward waiting for you at the finish line. If you're working out in a group, you could reward yourselves by going out for lunch, seeing a movie or doing whatever it is that you enjoy doing as a group. #treatyourself

Hopefully you find these tips helpful! Remember, goal setting and regularity are the keys to success!

Megan Stewart