10 Life-Changing Motivational Tips That Will Help You Get In Shape For 2020
Are you looking for some motivational tips to help you get in shape for the New Year (2020)? Staying motivated is important when you’re trying to get fit.
When it comes to your fitness, setting goals with clear direction is the best plan to set you up for success.
Needless to say that the best plan won’t get you anywhere if you’re not motivated to stick with it.
Whatever your goals may be, reaching them requires patience and determination. It’s hard to find when you’re first starting out or have a lot going on in your life.
But the more tips you use to stay motivated, the more you can keep moving towards a leaner and fitter you, to help motivate you to get in shape.
Here are 10 of the best motivational tips to help you stick with your goals no matter how hard it gets.
1. Remember – You are the result of your actions!
You’ve heard it all before, but the only person who can persuade you to take action is you.
If you know what you want to achieve, that’s a step in the right direction. Setting fitness goals will define the action you need to take.
You should take the time to set your fitness goals. Making them SMART will map out your course of action – to get in shape.
Write your goals in a fitness diary to remind yourself what you want to achieve. It’s also a great way to track your performance.
Sounds cliche, but if want something bad enough, you take the steps to make it happen. Whatever it is you desire, you hold the key to unlock it’s reward.
It’s too easy to make excuses, but they definitely don’t make you feel any better or help you get any fitter. For example, blaming outside factors, bad genes or a lack of time for a workout are classics.
One thing that may help is to change the way you perceive yourself. Yet, only accepting that you are capable of changing your life, will make these changes happen.
And instead of blaming your lack of workout on limited time, do your best to make time for yourself and exercise.
It may be hard, but accept responsibility for what happens in your life. This way, you can make the necessary changes to help you achieve your goals.
If you have set fitness goals – job well done! It’s the first step in taking action. The remaining actions involve you reaching your goals. Running, walking, swimming, yoga, pilates or gym, whatever it is, do it.
Now, it’s up to you to help yourself and get back in shape.
2. Stay positive and patient
If you’ve decided to jump aboard the fitness train, kudos to you! But don’t think you’ll get fit over night.
It’s near on impossible to reverse these changes after a few short weeks. Especially if you’re starting out or trying to get back in shape after time away from fitness.
Getting in shape is a long process. Your patience and positive attitude are essential if you want to succeed. Impatience is a great obstacle that can hinder your motivation.
Don’t expect that it will be easy, you’ll get discouraged when the results don’t come as fast as they would like them to.
Start with lowering your expectations. Remember that the hardest roads are best walked with baby steps.
Along the way, you may feel discouraged, angry and disappointed. But always try look at the bright side, no matter how impossible it seems.
Search for something that will brighten your thoughts. Perhaps subscribe or follow a page that provides motivational tips or quotes.
Be willing to work hard and wait for those well earned results. Don’t take shortcuts – they will only lead you astray. Keep that direction on track towards your goals.
A positive and patient attitude is something you will have to work on. Once you master it, you’ll be much closer to your goal.
3. Understand your strengths and weaknesses
This motivational tip is all about you. Nobody knows yourself like you do. You should know exactly what you’re good at, and also those areas that need a little improvement.
Use your strengths and weaknesses to your advantage. This knowledge helps you to maximise opportunities and remove those roadblocks.
Play them against each other to get your desired end result. Let’s say that you are a great decision maker, but you have poor time management. Get a diary and make some time for yourself.
Self-awareness is one of your best allies. It allows you to optimise your actions. For example, if you know that at the end of the day you’re completely exhausted, then exercise in the morning.
If you struggle finding an hour for workout three times a week, then you could go for twenty minutes every day.
You know yourself best. You and only you can come up with and execute the perfect fitness plan.
4. Seek support from someone close to you
If you find it hard doing working out alone, or if you’re drifting off course, seek a counterbalance. Find someone close to you who will push you in the right direction, as you will them.
If you have a friend or a family member sharing your struggles, talk them into mutual support. Your spouse or partner should be the first person to motivate you.
Diet and exercise together, share healthy recipes and discuss what is working or not. Sharing experiences is priceless and it teaches you more than you’d learn on your own.
Having someone else can help you to keep motivated. They can encourage you to stay true to your promises and provide helpful feedback. Edging you towards achieving your goals.
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5. Exercise discipline (no pun intended)
Discipline is essential for staying motivated. When you exercise discipline, you cut through the B.S and get things done!
It doesn’t mean overcoming temptations with sole will power. You need self control to stop breaking your own rules. Stripping your cupboards of unhealthy foods is a good example.
Give up excuses and fight procrastination. Don’t negotiate with yourself. Never listen to that voice in your head that offers you a day off, postponing a workout or having a tasty cheat meal.
Usually it doesn’t stop after one time – it goes on and on, until you find yourself moving further away from your goals.
When it comes to discipline, don’t wait for things to happen. Make sure that “what you can do tomorrow, do now” is your new life rule.
There’s no better moment to start than now. Postponing things, especially those you have scheduled in advance, ruins everything.
It distances you from your final goal and works in advantage of weak will. You must exercise self-control at all times to remain disciplined.
Exercise discipline to ensure you keep your promises. It’s a hard, long journey, but in the end it makes things a lot easier.
6. Learn from your mistakes
Do you know what the most successful people of the world have in common? They’ve made plenty of mistakes and learned from each of them.
Don’t be afraid of making mistakes. They provide a learning experience, allowing you to explore your strengths and weaknesses.
Writing them down in your journal is a great chance to avoid further, similar pitfalls.
When talking to other people about their fitness journey, ask about their mistakes. Learning from them opens your eyes to possible traps and teaches you a lot about human nature.
Success isn’t a straight line from point A to point B – you have to take one backward step to make two steps forward.
It’s natural, and the quicker you accept it, the sooner you can get back on track and reach your goals.
7. Visualise to motivate
One of the most interesting techniques you will ever hear of is visualisation.
The brain is a powerful tool that you can use in your advantage. If you focus and visualise on the goals you have, picturing your end result, it will help you to achieve it.
If you focus on a picture, your brain starts perceiving it as reality. People believe what they see. When visualising, what you imagine is what your brain sees.
You can visualise anytime you have a spare minute. Close your eyes and picture a moment from your future – a year from now.
It could be at sunny beach on a beautiful summers day. Imagine yourself in shape and toned, with the level of fitness you desire.
Once you create this general image, think of details. How many people are there with you? What colour is your swimming suit?
Picture as many details as you can, focus on your dream body, healthy and strong. Think of your booming confidence. That’s visualisation!
Visualisation keeps you motivated. Allow yourself to imagine the perfect you as often as possible. The more you do it, the more likely you are to see it happening!
8. Reward yourself for milestones
Rewarding yourself after every reached milestone can serve as a great motivator.
You should do something nice for yourself each time you close the gap to that final goal.
It is common to reward yourself with eating something sweet, but that’s not what you should be doing. Sporadic cheating will ruin your whole fitness plan and is not disciplined.
Instead of buying unhealthy food, choose a reward that pleases you in a different way. Go to the cinema, get your hair or nails done. Schedule a spa weekend, if you have such possibility.
Invest in rewards that are both pleasant and beneficial to you each time you reach a milestone. You’ll find it very motivating and eager to reach the next one.
9. Find the right role model
Finding a role model aligned to your fitness style and values can have a significant impact. It makes it easier for you to reach the results you desire.
It’s smart to learn from your role model’s experiences. By copying their methods, you close the gap on your own objectives.
Try to follow someone known for their healthy lifestyle, like what yours may be. Internet buzzes with sites and blogs owned by people who are in love with fitness. Those are people who will show you the right way.
They became teachers and mentors by sharing their knowledge. They love to inspire thousands of people all around the world, everyday.
For example, you might be new to yoga and want some inspiration to improve your yoga flows. Following Aussie athlete Amanda Bisk could motivate you to do so.
Remember that a good role model is a person who lives a healthy and fit life you want to live. They have to represent values important to you.
Look up to people who work hard and sweat their way up to their healthy bodies. This will inspire you to want to follow in their footsteps.
10. Listen to positive music
Music has incredible influence on people’s mood and feeling. Have you ever felt excited and energetic after listening to a moving tune?
A lot of professional athletes will often listen to music before competing. It enhances their mood for optimal performance, or helps them to “get in the zone”.
When it comes to fitness, fill your library with energetic, positive and dynamic music. Songs that will put you in a good mood and make you feel like you can conquer the world!
Play your tracks in the lead up to your workout. Play them as often as possible, and always during your workout sessions.
This is how you keep yourself on your toes, motivated and ready for action.
Fitness motivational tips
If you follow these 10 motivational tips, or at least some of them, you’ll be well on your way to getting in shape and changing your life forever.
Chances are you’re already using these motivational methods. You use them move you in the right direction – towards your fitness goals.
Staying motivated isn’t some extraordinary power that appears from nowhere. It’s within you! Nourish it and fight back negative thoughts to push forward.
Remember to remain patient and disciplined. It will keep you determined and motivated. This way, you can reach your goals sooner rather than later.
Read Setting Fitness Goals The Smart Way (Without Working Up A Sweat) to learn how to set SMART fitness goals.
How to stay motivated for fitness?
- Remember – You are the result of your actions!
- Stay positive and patient
- Understand your strengths and weaknesses
- Seek support from someone close to you
- Exercise discipline (no pun intended)
- Learn from your mistakes
- Visualise to motivate
- Reward yourself for milestones
- Find the right role model
- Listen to positive music