One of the most common things I hear from people trying to get into a regular workout mindset is that they’re struggling to find motivation.

Let me just say: I think almost everyone has felt this way at one point or another (even seasoned athletes), so you aren’t alone.

There are many factors that come into play when it comes to workout motivation, especially if you’re just starting out, or have been out of the game for awhile. After all, they say it can take at least 21 days to form a new habit, but when it comes to exercise and eating right, it can take even longer to get into a regular pattern and make it stick. 

The simple truth is, it’s probably not just your own thoughts getting in the way of you reaching your goals. It’s more likely a combination of your own mindset combined with outside influences that might be slowing you down or telling you that you can’t do it … when you actually can.  

Here I’m going to share with you some of the most popular reasons you may have a difficult time staying motivated to exercise regularly, and how you can easily become motivated again.

Figuring Out Your ‘Why’

If you’re just getting into a regular routine of exercising, you probably know that it’s a cornerstone aspect of getting stronger and losing weight. But if you don’t know the ‘why’ behind making fitness into a habit, it may not make as much sense for you to keep doing it on a regular basis. It’s important to be honest with yourself and even write down at least a few reasons why you are now making exercise a priority in your life. Here are a few important questions to ask yourself: 

• Why is fitness important to me now? 
• What expectations do I have for myself when it comes to working out?
• What can I realistically do each week to work towards reaching my health goals? 

Time Out For Fitness 

There’s a saying: “If you don’t make time for your wellness, you’ll be forced to take time for your illness.” Oftentimes, one of the biggest reasons many people don’t take time for fitness is that it doesn’t become a priority until poor health becomes an issue. We all get busy living our lives, but if you truly want to make something a priority in your life, you will find a way to make time. I know it can be difficult to juggle everything, especially if you’re someone who has family responsibilities on top of a full-time job. This is why it’s important to take a closer look at your current list of priorities and daily routine, and figure out where you can fit regular workouts into your schedule. 

If you’re finding it difficult to make time, start by getting everyone in your household involved! If you have kids, this is also a great way to instill those healthy habits at an early age. You can use this time as quality time to reconnect while getting fit, and it can help address that whole time-crunch issue. 

Finding Your Biggest Supporters 

This brings me to my next point: finding people who support you in achieving your health and fitness goals. I’m a big believer that if you don’t necessarily enjoy working out at first, it’s great to find an accountability partner to help you stay motivated! Crushing your fitness routine is so much more fun when you can share in your success with someone who has a similar mindset and is also trying to reach a similar goal. By spending time with supportive, positive people, you’re much more likely to get and keep yourself on track long term. 

Commit To a Community 

So maybe you are single, or you just moved to a new city and you’re having trouble finding someone you can work out with. This is where fitness in a group setting can be beneficial. If you’re ready to go back out into the regular fitness scene (non-virtual), look for a Meetup group in your area that centers around outdoor fitness, or find a gym with group fitness classes so you can get your workout fix while getting to know others who may be in a similar situation. If you’re not quite ready to venture out of the house yet and prefer virtual fitness, there are support groups out there where you can meet others who are also working hard on their fitness goals. Or, why not start your own online fitness motivation group with people you already know if you’re not finding one that resonates with you? 

P.S.: If you join my Ultimate Bodyweight Fitness course, you’ll get complete access to the MVMT Community, where other members will interact with one another and share tons of tips and motivation.

Fitness Should Be Fun

If fitness feels like something you’re forcing yourself to do and isn’t fun, why would you keep doing it? It’s so important to find something that you actually enjoy doing! Repetition is often the cause of boredom, especially when it comes to working out. So, think of some activities that you actually enjoy or have always wanted to learn in your spare time and incorporate them into your fitness routine. Maybe you already love to dance, or you enjoy spending time out on the lake. Find a dance class either through a local studio or online, or try a stand up paddle boarding session if water is your thing. The secret sauce is: The more you enjoy doing a physical activity, the more you’ll want to do it and the less it will seem like a chore.  

Talk Isn’t Always Cheap  

There are now a ton of fitness and motivational mindset podcasts out there that may help give you just the kind of push you need to get going! I find it often helps to hear the stories of others who may have had similar challenges of their own and how they can be relatable to your own life. When we hear from someone who’s dealt with a situation that’s similar to ours, our psyche makes us more likely to sit up and pay attention if the advice is something that may be of benefit to us in our own lives. Words are powerful, and knowing that our own struggles are entirely possible to overcome may make us more likely to take action! A few good podcasts to check out: The Key Nutrition Podcast, The School of Greatness, and if you need a quick, daily dose of motivation: The Quote of the Day Show with Sean Croxton. 

Seek Out a Trainer 

If you’ve tried some of these suggestions already and you’re still struggling to stay motivated, a trainer might be the way to go. Maybe you’re still navigating the world of exercise and you’re just unsure of what types of exercises to do, or what’s most effective for you. There’s a lot of noise out there regarding what you should or shouldn’t do to get fit, just as there is with eating healthy. We can easily get pulled in one direction, then another, and it can be pretty confusing at times. Working with a trainer can often be the missing piece, as it is their job to help you bust through the barriers and create a plan that aligns specifically with your personal goals. 

I’m always here to support you, and you can come train with me anytime. Check out my new fitness app, MV Fit (available for both Apple and Android), and let me help you bust through those mindset blocks so that you can train like the beast that you are!