Maintaining motivation can be tough for some people after they feel that they have reached their goals. We need to revisit this from time to time. Most people would think I reached my goal a long time ago. Wrong! I still have goals. They still drive me. To maintain your motivation, your goals have to change and get BIGGER!
Maintain Motivation in Fitness
Now don’t get me wrong. I definitely have goals that are driven by aesthetics. But they are not my main reason for working out each and every day. But let me tell you about my motivation — my “Why?”. For those of you who have read the “My story” tab on the homepage, I describe how I was motivated by my faith and my children to make a lifestyle change. This motivation was, and continues to be, the foundation for the healthy lifestyle changes I’ve made. It’s a “Why” that is stronger than the desire to sleep in, the desire to eat candy, and the desire to be lazy. My “Why” keeps me going! It’s kept me going for 4 years now!
External Motivation
1) Competition = Even though it’s just me working out, there is something about conquering the workout, beating my record from last time, or pushing myself harder than I did last time that brings out those manly competitive juices in me! Since I’m “over the hill” and don’t get to participate in organized sports, these workouts serve to feed that male-ego thing for me! It’s fired me up way more to be involved with the Year of the Beast Challenge. I would have never even considered doing a physique show but now I am training with that in mind! That’s why I love these challenge groups — it gets us all pushing ourselves harder with a specific goal that we are working toward.
2) Variety = Even with the muscle confusion, the workouts can get a little routine after several times through. I get very excited anytime I sit down and start putting together my next “hybrid” routine, thinking about how each workout will work with the others to help me take it to the next level. I also get pumped up every time BB releases a new workout because it gives me new workouts to try and new goals to push for. As you can see by my many hybrid workouts, I’ve incorporated lots of variety with different workout programs to keep things fresh and unpredictable. I’ve used P90X, Insanity, P90X2, Tony Horton 1-on-1′s, Asylum V1 and V2, Body Beast, P90X3, MAX 30, 22MHC…. I really can’t allow myself to get “bored.” Anyone who gets bored with Beachbody workouts has no one to blame but themselves!
3) Accountability / Team = This is huge for me. If I was working out in secret, it would be way too easy for me to start slacking off. By being a coach, I am accountable to all of you. Plus, I have several friends / family / neighbors who have started doing the program after seeing my transformation, and we check in with each other often to see how we are doing on the workouts and nutrition. I’m also part of several tight-knit groups of people I could never imagine letting down (BE THE CHANGE, Summer BOD Challenge, etc.). Some of my closest friends are people I have met and grown with through Beachbody. No way can I let up now, because I’d not only let myself down but all the other people who look to me for motivation, and who motivate me.
4) DO MORE! = This goes back to my WHY for me. I want to be able to do more! In my life before Beachbody and P90X I was never doing what I am doing now. I am riding trails on my bike, running Spartan Races, climbing ropes and peg boards… I also just have the energy to do whatever my family wants! My kids never have to worry about if Dad ha enough energy to play. My continued fitness makes sure that I can be there for anything my kids want to do. Bike rides, playing at the park, sports… you name it, we DO IT!
Still having trouble maintaining motivation?
Are you in a challenge group? Are you committed to yourself? Meaning, when you push play that you are committed to finishing that workout. Even if you have lost all the weight you want, do you know that you are taking care of your body when you workout and eat right? That you are adding years to your life? That you are opening the door to new and exciting opportunities?! If that doesn’t fire you up, you might want to check your pulse! I think I need to find some weights!
Thanks to Trenton for the idea for this post! Dig deep man. Know that your workout today is making better days for tomorrow. Why stay in the same place when you can move forward!
Need a coach?
My email: coachwayne@teamripped.com
IG: @wayne_wyatt
