If you have been following my posts, then you will have learned the secrets of building the right weight loss mindset as well the various ways to effectively kick-start your weight-loss plan. As you execute your plan, the initial surge of motivation will carry you through the first phase, but as the days pass, you will find yourself struggling to stay committed.
Most of the time, motivation is like a gust of wind that just ruffles you up. The direction of the wind will change and you need to know how to adjust your sails to continue sailing on to your destination. All your self-motivation techniques and weight loss battle preparations becomes useless if you don’t commit yourself to it. Commitment is what converts your motivation into actions that achieve the desired objective.
Try following these little tricks to reduce your willpower struggles and to stay committed to your goal.
Invest in more Workout Gear
Upgrading to a new and flattering wardrobe will increase your confidence and help to breathe new life into your workout routine.
I used to work out in homely cotton T-shirts and I used to borrow the socks from my husband. When I made my transition to trendy and functional workout clothes, it made a tremendous difference to my commitment to exercising. I remember the simple happiness of owning a pair of pretty pink socks. It wasn’t long before I went out and bought some more.
Having the right workout clothes reinforces your identity and commitment as an exerciser. It really helps you to stay dedicated to your plans, when you feel good suiting up. Wearing your peppy new workout clothes will add an extra zest to your exercises. You can keep these purchases as a part of your reward system for achieving the first few milestones; it’s a great way to stay motivated.
It is also important to invest in adequate number of gym outfits to ensure that the lack of a fresh pair does not prove to be a barrier to your workout plans.
Keep your workout gear in plain sight
Visual cues serve as a wake-up call for your brain. In accordance with your exercise schedule, place your workout gear strategically in places that will inspire you to exercise without delay when the time comes. If you plan to work out early in the morning, put your workout clothes, sneakers and socks right next to the bed in plain sight. I have a friend who sleeps in her track pant and T-shirt to cement her resolve to go for morning runs. Now that’s what I call commitment!
If you are exercising at home, assemble everything you need for your workout and keep them in easily accessed places: dumbbells, jump ropes, yoga mats etc. If you have planned your workout after office, then have the workout gear ready in the car. Grab these small sparks of inspiration to stay committed to your goals and to exercise without delay.
Find Support
Weight-loss programs can be difficult, fraught with temptations and frustration. It is important to have someone in your corner to offer encouragement and help, to support you through your highs and lows. Having a workout partner can make a tremendous difference to your motivation and commitment levels. When you surround yourself with people who encourage your goals, you greatly increase your chances of success.
A workout partner will push you to work harder and at the same time hold you back from overdoing it; they help to make your workouts much more enjoyable. A good training partner can be a great asset, but a bad on can prove to be your undoing. Be selective in your choice of workout partners. You can have different workout partners depending on your exercise plans, one who accompanies you for early morning walks and another who is into high intensity strength training. Look for partners with similar strength levels and exercise goals. Someone training for a marathon will be more into aerobics while a body builder will head for the weights.
Choose someone who is reliable and punctual or they will end up detaining and demotivating you with their excuses. Once you start training together, if you might yourself unable to get along with your new friend and discover that many of their habits are quite annoying, then it’s best to part ways at the earliest and save yourself from all the negative energy. The attitude and motivational level of your partner is also important, a more intense partner can spur you on to do more while a casual one can drain your intensity.
An exercise appointment with such a friend will make you more prone to actually showing up for the walk or at the gym. If a co-worker from your office has having similar fitness goals, talk to her about it. Since you meet daily and have similar work schedules, you may find it easier to make workout plans together. It can start with something as simple as some brisk walking together after office.
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