Are you waiting for motivation to strike?
I venture to guess that all of us have had this thought when it comes to working out. Let’s say it’s Saturday. You have a to-do list of errands and (since it’s December) maybe a holiday party or two in the evening.
Should you get a workout in there?
I’m just not feeling motivated today.
A couple drinks and plates of holiday treats later, you feel it - that elusive motivation to stop making excuses, to stop being lazy and get in shape for once. You’ll be better this time, you’ll get up early, that gym will rue the day they gave you 20 percent off membership because you’re going to use it every freaking day, YES I AM.
A couple days or weeks later and you’re back at Saturday again. You want to make up for a week of eating poorly and not working out, but…the bed is too warm. The gym is too far away. You have no clean clothes to work out in.
The motivation is gone.
I’ve been there for sure. I’ve seriously prayed for motivation, willing God to just make me do it. But what I’ve discovered through years of exploring fitness is this – are you ready?
Your motivation is wrong.
We are all driven by something. We want to care for our families and to earn a decent living. I’m motivated by having a purposeful job and educating myself and others about health and fitness. Your motivation in life does come from somewhere, but that motivation is not going to be negative.
But somehow we think it needs to be different when it comes to our health. But it’s not. The motivation can’t be because you think you’re fat. It can’t be because you think you’re lazy and out of shape. It certainly can’t be because you hate your body.
These may be factors that get you to the gym a few times, but I posit that they are unsustainable. You can’t draw motivational power from a black hole of negativity. What’s going to inspire true change will be different for everyone, but as long as you’re saying it’s punishment to yourself, your relationship with your health will always be bad. And we’re looking for health, body and mind.
You want to get in better shape, but ask yourself the reason first. If it’s because you think you’re fat, implying that you think you’ll be happier once you’re thin, you’re starting off on the wrong foot. What actually brings you joy? Do it for that, for them.
I work out and eat well because I care about my body and I want to be healthy for the people I love and the things I love to do.
What about you? How would you finish this sentence?
I work out and eat well because ______________.
Let me know what you think!