5 Tips to Help you Stay Motivated for Your Workout

I once heard somewhere that the difference between inspiration and motivation is whether or not you feel a fire ignited on the inside or you are pushed by outside surroundings. This article is about getting that motivation on the outside - the motivation, setting yourself up for success to feel like you still actually want to do your workout. Another time I will write about finding that fiery passion within.

1. Set out your workout clothes + shoes + accessories

Give your self ZERO room for any excuses. When I am serious about getting into a new routine and creating new habits, I set myself up for success with this little tip. For example on a night where I plan to run the next morning I will lay out my pants, undies, bra, tank, socks, shoes, pull-over jacket, and set out my rain jacket just in case. I also make sure my wireless headphones are charged and sitting by the door, so I can literally just grab-n-go! This is easy to implement into any fitness routine. Lay out your clothes, any accessories you might wear like a fit-bit, or arm sleeve to put your iPod in (an old sock works wonders btw), and if you exercise at home layout your exercise equipment in advance too! 

2. Set up your audio preferences

If you like listening to music when you workout set that playlist up in advance! Spotify and Apple Music allow you to create your own playlists. If you are like me and you use Pandora still, pick a station that you know will play all the good tunes or listen to a book while you workout! At least when I am running, I very much enjoy listening to audio books. For harder workouts where I am pushing myself through and have to give more focus and energy is a different story...

​3. Have a tracker

I just LOVE having a monthly tracker to be able to put a little checkmark on the calendar to say that I completed my day! It definitely motivates me to keep up with daily habits because this allows me to look back over the month and see how many workouts I actually got in. You can imagine I don't feel super awesome when I look back over a week or more and see that I've been slacking. I also like to add a little star to the days that I ate well too. There are trackers included in my free 1-month morning ritual guide and with the purchase of The Base Kit program too!

​4. Get an accountabilibuddy

Research shows that having someone to hold you accountable will help you out a ton! Ask a friend to get into the same healthy routine as you or contact the healthy friend you know and tell them that you're getting started and you want an accountability partner. No matter which route you go, it's nice to have someone to either show up with together or just a simple text/message to say Hey! I got my workout in today, how about you! I find this works best when you are working with someone towards similar goals, but it all comes down to your motivation-style.

​5. ​Have a plan

Don't just wing it. I repeat. ​Do not just wing it! I have tried this time and time again and it never works. Never ever. The brain likes a plan, it's true. If you do not have a solid plan in play, I can 99.95% guarantee you will find an excuse and bail. You may have every single other part of these tips all laid out, but if you don't know if you're going for a run, planning to lift some weights, or work on your body-weight exercises then, if you even end up working out, your entire effort is going to be half assed - because you don't know what you're doing! Plan in advance. You'll thank yourself later.

All in all, remember you must find what works for you in order for something to stick, become the habit you want it to be, and then change your life the way you desire. Remember, failing is part of learning. When you realize something isn't working for you, don't be afraid to move on and try something else! Good luck out there!