How many times have you gone to sleep at night, swearing you'll go to the gym in the morning, and then changing your mind just eight hours later because when you get up, you don't feel like exercising?
While this can happen to the best of us, it doesn't mean you should drop the ball altogether when it comes to staying fit and building a healthy body for life. This can happen to even the most seasoned athletes, most toned bodybuilders, most dedicated fitness enthusiasts. The fact is, we are all human and there are days that we just may not be feeling 100% inclined to working out.
While scheduling in pre-planned rest days in any fitness program is a great idea, there is a fine line between resting your body and running from your commitment to exercise. If you notice that your "rest days" are taking up most of your time, you may be in need of a little fitness "pick-me-up" or motivation. Now the bad news is that motivation has to come from within you.
You need to somehow spark that flame inside that convinces you to drag your little sedentary behind to the gym. The good news? You, more than anyone knows what motivates you! You just have to find out what that motivational source is! Maybe it's your kids, your wife, fitting into your pre-pregnancy skinny jeans, completing a marathon, wearing a string bikini and being proud of what you see in the mirror. Whatever it is, use it to your advantage.
Place objects, pictures, clothing, magazine articles or anything that reminds you of your motivation and goals where you will see it often. I had one person tell me that she really wanted to lose the belly fat she accumulated after giving birth to her son that she loved more than anything in the world. Sure enough, a couple months down the road she looked great and much more toned. I asked her what her motivation was and she just chuckled.
She explained to me that she would feel so guilty for not going to the gym sometimes that she would just give up, go to the fridge, and eat something sweet since she had "messed up already". She did this until one day she ran across a store selling "knick knacks" and household items. And right in the window was a magnet that made her laugh-AND realize that she didn't have to give up the war for one battle lost.
The magnet had a picture of a female hippopotamus eating chocolate, and read, "A moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips!" Needless to say she started laughing and bought the magnet right away. She placed the magnet on her fridge to remind her of her goals and of the consequences of her actions. From that day on she said every time she saw the magnet she would get her running shoes on!
So, what motivates you? Sit down and reflect on your life, your fitness goals, and where you are on your journey to achieving your body for life. And while external reminders such as pictures-or magnets-can help motivate you, it is the INTERNAL changes you feel that make your efforts all worth while!
Author Resource:-
Next, get the entire list of 20 "Blueprints" I created that allowed me to dramatically transform my body and win the 1998 Body For Life contest. Imagine finally getting the body you've always wanted! Only available at Harry's Blog
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