There are several reasons to get moving and be active, but if you're like lots of girls, you need some ways to motivate yourself to work out.
The CDC explains that exercising can increase your lifespan. “People who are physically active for about 7 hours a week have a 40 percent lower risk of dying early than those who are active for less than 30 minutes a week,” the CDC explains.
While there are rewarding benefits related to exercising, you may be asking yourself “where do I start”? Here are 8 ways to motivate yourself to work out.
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1. Set a Realistic Goal
When thinking about how often you want to exercise it is important to be specific. That's one of the best ways to motivate yourself to work out. Think about which days will work best with your schedule and what time you will be available to exercise. By setting specific goals you know what you are trying to achieve. You can set up your goals with a timeline. For example, your goal can be “I want to work out for one hour three days a week for twelve weeks,” and then you have a set goal for yourself.
2. Reward Yourself
Make sure you take time to acknowledge your accomplishments. You can reward yourself with something small - the choice is up to you. When setting a goal, think about what the reward could be when you achieve that goal. Let the idea of the reward motivate you to continue to push through when you want to give up.
3. Change Your Workout Spots
A change of scenery can be a way to freshen up your workout routine. Especially if you live in a beautiful place and you want to explore the outdoors. It can be fun to find new places to go and see and exercise in. You can even turn walking your dog into a workout. This is also a good idea for those who prefer not to go to the gym or want new ideas.
4. Don't Be Hard on Yourself
When you are beginning a new workout routine it can be challenging. You already have to make sure you fit it into your schedule and then you have to take on the physical challenges. Just make sure not to push yourself too hard too fast. This can lead to injury and you could feel like you are not seeing the results right away.
5. Work out with Someone
It can be inspiring to find an exercise buddy who can encourage you to work out on days you just don’t want to go.
Maybe you will encourage them to work out as well. Working out with another person can also help you perform stretches and sports better than if you were by yourself. Also, because humans are generally social, working out with a friend is a way you can both catch up and break a sweat at the same time.
6. Make Exercising Fun
If the idea of exercising is not appealing at all then you might want to consider activities that you like to participate in and see how they can help you lead a more physical life. For example, if you like to dance then you can take a dancing class. Or if you like to swim you can take a swimming class. Also, just making sure you have a gym playlist to listen to can be motivating.
7. Notice Your Physical Improvement
When you are working hard it will show, and you can recognize the changes in yourself. According to the CDC, exercising will help you build strength in your bones and muscles. The CDC says, “keeping bones, joints, and muscles healthy can help ensure that you’re able to do your daily activities and be physically active.” Even if you feel only small physical improvements, these improvements can help you down the road in the long term.
8. Recognize Your Lifestyle Improvement
Exercise can bring more mobility to your life, making it easier for you to live. Along with health benefits, exercising gives you a way to connect your mind and body. Decide what you want to do and how you want to do it and then go for it.