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| Gizmo on our walk through the forest behind our house. Finding those hidden treasure spots in your area is a great way to keep pushing! |
It happens to the best of us. Wake up in a bad mood, real-life starts to catch up with you, the gym is "too busy" and we don't want to go, maybe we took a couple days off that we shouldn't have, etc... Whatever the reason, the no-motivation express hits nearly everyone square in the face at one point or another on their way towards achieving their goals. Hitting it back is what separates success from failure.
I am constantly looking for that edge while at the same time keeping it fun. I lose motivation fairly quickly so for me this topic is vital to my success. I always am looking for new ideas and new ways to get through the workouts I need to do. Some days are easy, but others are damn near impossible...
If you can go to the gym day in and day out and run on that treadmill, or ride on that bike, or lift those weights, all with a constant gung-ho attitude then I applaud you. Keep it up and revel in your glory. Unfortunately, if you are one of "those people," you're probably not reading this looking for ways to stay motivated. So, for the other 99% of us, here's a few tips and tricks that I use that always keep me giving it my all.
1. KEEP IT FUN!!
I can't stress this enough. If it's not fun, the simple fact of the matter is you're not going to want to do it. Training can be monotonous at times but the goal is to enjoy what you're doing. Find ways to stay interested and look forward to working out and it'll make starting your training a whole heck-of-a-lot easier to do each day.
2. Keep it Different
Don't go to the gym every day and do the same thing each time. In fact, don't go to the gym every day. The treadmill can get really boring, really quickly. If it's nice outside, even in the winter, find somewhere in your local area to go run. Here in Sioux Falls, I have found a place to get my runs in that take me through a nice forest and along a meandering river. The whole loop starting at my front door is roughly 3 miles. Perfect for my pre-season training that I'm currently in.
3. Explore
When you do take your runs or bike rides outside, venture outside of your local area. Pick up a trails guide from your local book store and mark out places fairly near to you that you would like to train at and then go do it. Personally, I'm spending 1-2 hours each day out running or riding a bike. I want to see some new scenery now and then!
4. Remember Why it's Your Goal in the First Place
It's easy to start out really excited and do really well and then fade off track and fail. I think this is because when we start, our reasoning for wanting to accomplish something is fresh in our minds. Over time, it fades a little bit and so does our motivation. When I'm having a tough time getting out there, I reassess what I'm doing, why I'm doing it, and what I need to continue to do to get where I want to go.
5. Make Multiple Music Play-lists
Don't train to the same music every day. It's boring; we get tired of songs; some days we're in the mood for something different. Have a rock playlist for your hardcore "knock this thing out" days. Use hip-hop songs for your rhythmic workouts such as weight lifting. Music is a vital component to a successful workout. When I have the right thing playing, I can push myself a little bit harder than if I didn't.
6. Read up on Your Goal
What do people who do what you want to do, do? Are there professionals? I know there are in the sport of triathlon. When I'm not training, I try and read as many articles on the sport as I can. What's the new gear? Who's at the top of the sport and how did they get there? What were the results of the past years races that I plan on doing this year? All of these things, and so much more, are out there and when I'm reading up on it, it just gets me amped to get out there and train.
7. Make a Photo Diary for the Workout
Take pictures while you train. Take pictures of yourself, your gym, the outdoors, the people you're with, your meals, you getting ready to go, WHATEVER. Everyone loves pictures, and it's not just for other people. A picture is worth 1000 words and if you have 1000 pictures of your day, your going to remember it and talk about it and want to do it all over again the next day.
8. Keep a Blog or a Journal
This has probably been the single most motivating thing I have done in my training. I don't think that without it I would be anywhere near where I am in my training at this point. Something about it keeps me accountable for my training and is a great way to look back on what I've done to date. The ability to look back on failures and success is exciting and it makes me want to get out there so I can record what I did that day.
9. Get a Training Buddy
10. Come Up With Something That Motivates You
I can't come up with everything that motivates you. There's a good chance that none of this motivates you. Everyone is different so at the end of it all, come up with some ideas yourself. Stay positive, stay real, and get creative. You might just surprise yourself with what you come up with.
The only person that's going to do this for me is me. The only person that's going to do this for you is you. We can help each other, and give each other tips and tricks along the way but at the end of the day it comes down to what's inside. I started my journey towards becoming a triathlete because I was tired of taking the easy way out. I'm only one month into it and I have already, on multiple occasions found reasons I shouldn't keep going. Each time, I have had to find a better reason that I should. I am loving how much character my training has instilled in me already and can't wait to see where this takes me. Find a way to reach your goals and don't give up. When that train comes through your town hop on the no-motivation express, kick the conductor out the window, and drive that train somewhere else. You have to find a way to keep it out of your day if your ever going to stay motivated and succeed in all of the improbable madness.
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