Health blog series [11]: Find motivation to exercise. Discover your goal...and go for it!

I hope you found our last week's blog helpful as this week we will cover how to boost your motivation to exercise.

We all know that physical exercise is good for us but actually performing it is another thing. To stick with an exercise routine, you need to get out there when that little voice inside you says, "I'll do that tomorrow or the day after...." Motivation does that, and it's up to us to find a way and overcome. Don't forget that all the models/celebrities etc. we see have had to work hard to build their bodies.

1. Think about your goals

There is a chance you already know what outcome you want to have from exercising. My personal goal for example is to one day be able to do the Human Flag.

This keeps me motivated to keep exercising as it will take a long - very long - time to succeed. Also I do more research into the exercises needed to achieve it which eventually helps me understand why I have to go through all this to be successful. Use your imagination and think about what is more important for you when exercising. Trust me it helps!

2. Track Your Progress

Chart your workouts, whether you do it online or in an fitness journal. Seeing improvements, whether running faster, doing more reps, or working out more often, makes you want to keep going. As you can see below, I used MS Excel to add my workouts and used colours GREEN/RED/YELLOW to show my performance. As long as green and yellow boxes overtake red, means I'm doing something right!

3. Errors

Let's be real. We are going to miss a day or two. Anything can happen on an ordinary day, our car might have broken down, feeling ill/tired/pain etc. If you accept that there will be some side steps on your fitness journey, you’ll be better prepared mentally to deal with setbacks, Don't stop and keep moving!

Don’t let a misstep be an excuse for giving up.

4. Focus Only On Yourself

If you are a perfectionist remember that there will always be someone fitter, faster, or more flexible than you. So don’t compare yourself to them and forget about them. Your workout time is for you, and about you.

Your goal is to be stronger than yesterday

5. Share with people close to you

Find friends, family, co-workers who will encourage you to stay on track. Ask them to do exactly that. "The person should be in support, but not say, 'Why can’t you? It’s so easy,'" Use the people close to you to help you stay motivated and focused!

Think about the steps above and take the decision to improve your training. You can also start by joining our Regent's Active Club on Strava and stay motivated alongside our active Regent's community! Our February challenge is to run 100k so get your shoes on!

See you there,

Your Sports Officer