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Many people tend to slack on their fitness goals during the holiday season. Putting family, friends, work, and other obligations ahead of your regular workout routine is easy, but that can harm your short-term and long-term goals. Here are a few tips to help you stay motivated to work out over the holidays.
People often mix up motivation and working out. The common thought is, "I want to work out, but I need more motivation to work out."
Motivation is simply the belief that something is important for you to do and that you believe you can do it. It's not a special feeling or mood you must possess before you can work out. The "motivated feeling" is nice when it's there, but it's not what's needed to get a session in.
If you believe exercise is important for you and you know you can do it, then asking how you stay motivated over the holiday period is not the question you need an answer to. Instead, it's "how do I work out even when I don't have that feeling?" And the answer to this does not involve motivation.
Here's what you need to do:
You need to schedule your workouts ahead of time. Decide what type of exercise you're going to do and how much is real. Then choose the days and times.
Next arrange to work out with someone on each date. Why? If you have motivation, but you're not showing up, you don't have a "motivation" problem, you have a "showing up" problem. Recruiting a workout buddy for each session can solve this issue very fast. You can gather a group, hire a trainer, or ask a friend. Just make you have a "buddy" who's going to be there.
Set reminders and block off your calendar so you remember your workout and prevent anyone from getting in the way.
Plan something rewarding to happen immediately after your workout. This can be simple self-congratulations, a warm shower, a cup of coffee, or a high-five. It doesn't matter as long as you like it.
Being scheduled and prepared is the best way to ensure you follow through with your workout plans. Set yourself up for success by planning and having a solid support system. And don't forget to treat yourself after a job well done! You'll be on your way to a more consistent holiday workout routine by following these steps.
What do you think would improve if you applied these tips? Let me know in the comments below!