At the start of any fitness journey, it’s easy to feel really fired up and ready to take on any challenge – you’ve got a plan, new workout clothes, and a whole list of goals. But give it a few weeks and that excitement can really start to fade, especially when work gets busy, routines start to slip, and suddenly sticking with your plan seems a lot harder than it did at the start.
The truth is that even the most committed people have days when motivation feels like it’s totally gone, and that’s completely normal. The key is to learn how to keep going even when you’re not really motivated, and with that in mind, keep reading to find out more.
Small Wins Are Important
It’s easy to overlook the little things, but they’re actually really important. For example, if you made it to the gym even if you didn’t feel like going, that’s a win. If you chose a homemade dinner instead of a takeaway, that’s another one. If you went for a walk even though you had foot pain and needed to get shoe inserts, that’s ok! At least you got out there and did the dang thing!
These small moments really do add up, and they should be able to remind you that you’re making progress, even if it doesn’t always feel like it – when you look back, you’ll be able to see how far you’ve come.
Celebrating small wins doesn’t just boost your confidence—it’s also a great excuse to treat yourself to things that keep you moving forward. Reward yourself with a new pair of supportive walking sneakers that make every step feel lighter, slip into compression socks that help with recovery after those extra-tough workouts, or freshen up your routine with comfortable, stylish workout clothes that you actually want to wear. Little rewards like these can reignite your excitement for fitness and remind you that every step, no matter how small, deserves to be celebrated.
Set Realistic Goals
One thing that really helps when it comes to staying motivated is having goals that make sense for you. It’s great to be ambitious, but if your goals are too big or too vague, it’s easy to get frustrated and give everything up because you’re not seeing the results quickly. So instead of just saying you want to get really fit, try breaking it down into smaller, more manageable steps.
For example, you could have a goal of being able to run a certain distance, eating one plant-based meal every week, or just going to one class or workout a week – these are the kinds of specific goals that will help you keep going. And of course you can tweak them as you go so they work better for you.
Get A Bit Of Help
Sometimes it’s worth having a bit of extra support, and that can come in a variety of different forms, like a workout buddy, a personal trainer, or some professional advice so you don’t have to work everything out on your own.
Some people might also explore options like weight loss medication with the right medical guidance to ensure they get the right type for them and take it safely. In the end, it’s about what works best for you, and asking for help is the only way you’re going to find out what that is for sure.
Remember Why You’re Doing It
On those tougher days – and everyone has them – it’s definitely going to help to remind yourself why you started getting fitter in the first place. Maybe it’s to feel stronger, to have more energy, to boost your confidence, or perhaps it’s something to do with your health. Whatever it is, keep that ‘why’ in mind and it’ll make a difference when you need an extra push to keep you going.