Staying motivated

It’s tough to start an exercise routine.

It’s even harder to maintain it.

If you’ve been exercising consistently for at least 6 months, you likely have a good routine going.

You know when and where you’ll exercise and what it takes to get the exercise done.

But your motivation might also be lagging.

If you’re not as excited about exercise as you were when you started, here are some strategies to try:

Set a new goal

Maybe when you started, your goal was to get into a routine. Now that you’ve accomplished that goal, it’s time to think about a new one. 

Is there an exercise you want to get better at? 

Do you want to do a fitness competition? 

Specific goals can make your workouts feel more purposeful instead of like something you’re just doing.

Understand your motivation

Why are you continuing to exercise? Is it the same reason as when you started? 

Your motivation is different than the goals discussed above. It’s your deeper reason for doing this.

Try to get as specific as possible.

If the first thing that comes to mind is “I want to feel better,” ask “How do I want to feel better” or “What will feeling better allow me to do?” 

When it’s tough to get through a workout, thinking about your reason for exercising might motivate you.

Change things up

Maybe your motivation has decreased because you’re bored. 

Try switching up the type of exercise you’re doing, or make changes within the same type of exercise. 

If you’re lifting weights, try some new exercises or new types of workouts. For instance, doing as many reps as you can in 1 minute instead of always doing 10-12 reps. 

You can also try working out at a different time of day to see if that gives you more energy.

Recruit a friend

Doing hard things is often easier when you have someone working alongside you. If you have a friend or family member who’s also into exercise, try working out with them instead of by yourself.

Ask for advice

If you work with a personal trainer or other fitness professional, try talking through with them why you haven’t been feeling as motivated recently and what changes might help you feel excited about exercising again. And if you don’t work with a fitness professional, chat with a friend or family member. It’s often hard to think through these things on your own.

If you’re feeling stuck in your exercise routine, let us know! We’d love to chat with you about applying any of these strategies.