1. Feeling after workout
This is number 1 as there’s no feeling to match that post workout high, the endorphins produced whilst training have a profound effect on the body and really can’t be matched by anything else!
Studies have proven that exercise can have an anti depressing effect on the body and mind, achieving this feeling with 3 to 4 training sessions a week can quickly become addictive.
2. Before and after pics
A sure way to see how much progress your making, as we are constantly looking at ourselves on a daily basis in mirrors getting changed in the morning, when we step out of the shower it’s hard to really notice the small changes. Taking regularly photographs every 4-6 weeks can really surprise you and give you motivation to keep kicking ass in the gym.
3. Success stories
Getting motivation from real life versions of yourself can be very appealing, seeing someone start and finish there journey in front of your eyes offers hope that one day that can be you. Research body transformations find one that’s similar to your current situation and tell yourself if that person has done it i can to.
4. Stress relief
Many of us are constantly on the go never getting a chance to stop and take a deep breath through the day or let the brain switch off for an hour. Make the gym your sanctuary use it as a place to distract you from the 100 miles an hour world we live in today, once you’ve made this connection to the gym you’ll tend to rarely skip a session.
5.Setting and reaching goals
Probably the most important area setting goals is like your fitness map.
If your goals are unclear it’s like having a sat nav that only brings you half way. Take time to set realistic clear goals with deadlines. If you fail to make a deadline extend it but most importantly make them clear feeling healthy is not a goal losing 10 pounds by my birthday on the 25th of x month and fitting into that size 8 dress is much better.
6. Events
Be big and bold push yourself to do an event that scares you it might be a 5 or 10 k run a cycle or swim, whatever it is make it something you genuinely are interested in and look at the bigger picture, if you are focusing on this event coming up it’s another motivator to keep training eating well and living the healthy lifestyle.
7. Motivational quotes
We all have our favourites what’s yours?
Print it out and put it somewhere you will see it regularly, this may sound cheesy but trust me it works.
If you haven’t got a favourite start with mine the great American football coach Vince Lombardi ” the good lord gave us a body which can withstand almost anything it’s our mind we must convince”
8. Fitting into new/old clothes
Many clients get such a big boost when they try on a pair of old jeans that now fit or start dropping down belt sizes.
Nothing is more rewarding then throwing out old bigger sized clothes and doing a new wardrobe shop feeling happier and more confident in outfits you’d never have dreamt of wearing.
9. A coach/trainer
For the motivation alone a coach/trainer is a great idea somebody to help keep you accountable to your goals and guide you along your journey to a new you is vital at least starting out. The trainer will set realistic targets due to there experience they will know what you should expect each week and if your behind on your goals methods to get you back on track. It may sound biased but I myself use trainers/coaches to enhance my chances of achieving what I’ve set out to accomplish.
10. The scale
The most controversial so I’ve left it to last, stay off the scales is something we here a lot and I do agree to a certain point. What the scales tells us is not very much to be honest it gives you an overview of what may be going on but to truly get a consistent reading weigh yourself no more then once a week preferably on the same time on the same day. Don’t way everyday it’s not going to give you a clear indication of how your body’s is reacting to your current exercise and nutrition plan, chances are it will just leave you feeling demotivated and when your on your journey to your ideal physique it’s vital to surround yourself with positives.