Whether following healthy eating habits or working out, motivation is the true key to lifelong success!
What is Motivation?
There are two types of motivation: external and internal motivation.
External motivations are outside factors telling you should do healthy things. This would be, for example, wanting to train and run faster so you can keep up with your friends or wanting a smaller waist because that's what you're seeing on Instagram. These motivation factors are great for short term goals.
On the other hand we have internal factors, like wanting to change your diet to weigh less because you're short of breath, or working on weight lifting so you can carry things at work better. These factors are what will keep you going for the long term goals.
Set a Goal
Goal Setting is an excellent way to keep yourself accountable to achieve something. Short and long term goals each have a valuable purpose. Long term goals are great for setting the big picture, or end result. Some long term achievements might be running a marathon or having a dream end weight goal.
Although, long term goals can be intimidating, so short term goals help you along the way and keep the motivation fresh. While preparing for a marathon, aim to get a faster daily mile time. If your goal weight is 50 pounds, start by aiming for 5 pounds a month.
Start small to hit big!
Workout With Someone
Whether its your partner, best friend, or trainer, having an accountability buddy can be great motivation. You can join in on personal goals together or compete in a challenge! Everyone likes a bit of competition, right?
If you don't have a workout partner, a coach trainer can be a great source to help you on your way and show you more ideas to challenge you and help you reach your goals!
Find Value in a Healthy Lifestyle
Learning more about your health will set the big picture. Why not study up on your ailments or shortcomings and work on getting better?
If are overweight, learn how to workout so you can get to that goal and have an easier time traveling. Have an old injury or pain? Learn how to get more mobile so you can get around better throughout your day. Dealing with IBS? Explore more veggies and recipes that you and your family will enjoy.
Whatever you may be dealing with will have some kind of link to your health and affect your life whether it is physical or mental.
What Matters Most
In the end, your reason for "why" is the most important. If you don't have a why, the challenges you start or health goals you make might fizzle out and be overrun by past habits.
Finding those intrinsic and valuable reasons inside of yourself will be the ones that carry you the farthest.
No one can choose these for you , but once you find your personal "why", you can conquer any goal you set your mind to!
So what motivates you? Are you motivated by yourself or someone else?
Looking for a challenge? Download my app to try one out!
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