Introduction

Your willpower is a muscle that you must train alongside your body so that you can brave any workout. Mental fitness is essential for pulling you through gruelling workouts—and for appreciating the lighter days.

There’s an old saying that the workout starts in the kitchen, but it’s time we updated that saying to a more modern version. 

“Your workout starts in your mind, then it enters your kitchen.” Staying motivated is more than half the battle to dedicated weight loss and physical training. So here are some effective ways to stay motivated during your workouts.

Strategies to stay committed to your goal

1.Set realistic goals

To maintain enthusiasm and commitment over the long term, you need to develop the right mindset and create a strategy that will keep you motivated on your fitness journey.

First rule of thumb: Don’t be too hard on yourself when you initially make a few slips. It is totally okay. Every journey has its ups and downs. When you come to terms with this reality, the journey feels more organic, and you can ease into fitness.

Figure out your sub-goals: Your larger goal might be to lose weight or lead a healthier lifestyle. Break that major goal into smaller, more achievable daily goals that you can easily tackle. 

Some examples of sub-goals are:

• Improve stamina 
• Lose ‘x’ kg per month
• Be more flexible

2. Choose exercises you enjoy

Exercise should be enjoyable. Listen to your body. When you initially start your fitness journey, your body and mind will resist any drastic changes.

If a particular exercise doesn’t make you feel comfortable, feel free to give it up or try it out when you feel that you are capable of doing it.

Exercise is also about having fun. At the end of a workout, you should feel like the kid who came home after a fun day playing. Choosing exercises in this manner will help to keep you motivated to hit the gym every day.

As you advance and start seeing improvements, you can embrace newer workouts that will help strengthen specific muscle groups. You will start feeling unconsciously drawn to more advanced exercises as time goes on. 

3. Visualise success – figure out your reasons

“Why do I want to get fit?” 

“Why should I try a healthier diet?” 

“Why should I put my body through all that?”

There are a lot of reasons or “WHYs” as you work to find out what motivates you. Your “WHY” is what drives you to be committed to your goal. Your “WHY” shapes your mindset so you can train both your mind and body to embark on your fitness journey. 

Here are some of the most popular “WHYs” that people have:

a/ Improve health: Being fit can help you keep away from lifestyle diseases like diabetes, high cholesterol or even heart diseases. A healthier lifestyle also saves you money on hospital and pharmacy visits—a great health bonus.

b/  Mental Health and wellbeing: Regular exercise can help enhance your mood and reduce stress. During and after exercise, your body releases endorphins, which can give you mental clarity, focus, and cognitive function. Regular workout also improves sleep and quality of life.

c/ Increased energy and strength: As you become regular at the gym, you will notice a drastic change in your energy levels, which will make everyday activities easier. Your improved endurance reduces feelings of fatigue. Weight training not only improves muscles but also improves bone health and diminishes the risk of osteoporosis.

Having a clear “WHY” can help you visualise the success you want to achieve. Make your reasons crystal clear so that you can steer yourself back on track when you stray away.

4. Personal Trainer and Supportive Environments

A personal trainer can be your greatest support when you need that extra push. A lot of people struggle when trying to figure out the exercises that work for them. A professional trainer can help you slice through that confusion and get you going easily. 

Most of the time, we can push ourselves a little bit to perform most exercises. However, at the sign of the slightest exhaustion, we are likely to give up. This doesn’t happen under the watchful eyes of a personal trainer.

Trainers can put you in groups that meet your fitness goals. Here, you can connect with other people with similar goals and keep each other motivated to be consistent with your fitness routines.

Here are some things to keep in mind so that you can always prioritise your fitness journey:

• Surround yourself with the right fitness culture.
• Follow and watch content related to health and fitness on social media and other platforms. 
• Find friends or groups online that are focused on a healthy lifestyle. 

5. Track Your Progress But Be Flexible

Keep track of your weight at the start of every month. It is best to keep a small notebook to keep track of your daily exercises and the food you eat. 

This helps to cement the idea in your head to watch what you eat. It also helps you to see how you have progressed to be able to perform more advanced exercises. You may still deviate from your plan, but keep yourself flexible and adjust your plans around your slip-ups.

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes and try out new things. Having a clear vision about the long-term benefits is more important. Do not be too hard on yourself early on. You can be harder on yourself at a more advanced stage when your fitness goal demands firm discipline.

6. Rest, Recover, Believe in Yourself

Rest and recovery are very important to any fitness regime. Just as important as it is important to push yourself at the gym, it is also important to let your body rest. Rest can vary for different types of workouts. 

Your trainer will recommend rest and recovery based on your fitness plan. The rest and recovery for a weight loss program can be different from a weight gain program. The rest for weight training and cardio training can differ. Make sure to communicate with your trainer to get a routine that works well for you.

Remember, “Rome was not built in a day.” Believe in yourself; you will see results. The aim is to be consistent. Experiment with your exercises, food, and lifestyle adjustments.

SLAM Lifestyle & Fitness Studio: Motivational Personal Training in Chennai

Fitness is not a temporary solution. It is a lifestyle we embrace for the betterment of our present and our future. 

Fitness goes beyond simply joining a gym or following a rigorous diet plan. Fitness happens when we are surrounded by people who are invested in a healthy culture for fitness. 

SLAM Lifestyle and Fitness Studio offers you the best fitness culture in Chennai. Our state-of-the-art fitness studio and expansive floor allow for a wide variety of specialised training programs such as HIIT, functional training and fitness boot camps. 

Experienced and result-driven trainers assist you in every step of your transformation journey. You get personalised diet plans and exercise regimes to strengthen your body and find your peak physical conditioning. 

Sign up to join a community with a vibrant fitness culture.

Takeaway

• Fitness requires rigorous mental training and a mindset that makes fitness a lifelong commitment.
• Staying motivated requires you to choose the right strategies to stay motivated within a dedicated fitness culture.
• Have clear goals and choose exercises that you enjoy as you embark on your fitness journey.
• It’s important to stay flexible and cut yourself some slack when you stray from your path. 
• Regular exercises can help you get mental clarity, focus, and improve cognitive function.
• SLAM Lifestyle and Fitness Studio offers a community that observes fitness culture.

FAQs

1. How do we figure out our reasons for working out?

Figuring out your reasons for working out can be tricky. Here are some common motivators that can act as your starting point:

• Improved Health
• Mental health and wellbeing
• Increased energy and strength

2. What are some enjoyable exercises?

This can be subjective to each individual. Some may see cardio exercises as fun exercises, such as jumping jacks, mountain climbers, etc. Meanwhile, others might prefer weight-oriented exercises or callisthenics instead.

3. Is it mandatory to keep a fitness journal?

No. Keeping a fitness journal is a personal preference. There are apps available that you can install on your phone to track your diet and fitness.

4. Are Personal trainers mandatory?

No, but it is always better to start your fitness journey with a personal trainer. 

• They can guide you and help you tailor a personal fitness program.
• They can also help you avoid injuries.
• They can suggest alternative exercises if you suffer from injuries.

5. Do we get personal trainers at SLAM?

Yes, SLAM offers you a personal trainer to tailor a diet and workout routine exclusively for you.