How many of you find yourself not wanting to hit the gym after a long day or to stop and pick up fast food on the way home instead of taking the time to make something healthy for dinner? If this is you, I would say you are in the majority of people out there but being in the majority isn't always the best place to be.
I have problems motivating myself to workout. I know, I know! How can that be! I have been a part of the fitness industry for seventeen years now and have owned my own fitness studio for almost seven of those. Part of my job is to motivate my clients yet sometimes the person I know who is the least motivated is myself.
For some background, a couple of months ago I had decided to train for either a 5k or 10k run coming up in roughly a month. I gave myself 90 days to train for it. Sound familiar? I love the idea of breaking fitness goals into 90 day components. This is, after all, just another fitness goal to conquer. The problem is I don't love it. I don't even like it. I dread going for a run, I dread the day of the event, I dread...... Get the picture! I hate running and I dedicated 90 days to it. I make it to the gym, I make my runs, I check the box. Last week, I would force myself to workout. Not Fun!
My latest "A-HA" moment came just yesterday while hiking in the Magdalena Mountains west of Socorro New Mexico at 10,700ft on South Baldy. I love the outdoors and being active outdoors. I live to hike and explore the back country. Earlier this year I hiked rim to rim in a day at the Grand Canyon. I trained by hiking and going to the gym for supplemental workouts. I was always motivated. For one, I knew all to well what I was getting myself into and I knew I had to be physically prepared. I also loved the idea of it. I couldn't wait for the day to get here and couldn't wait for the next big adventure when it was finished. If I feel this strongly about the outdoors and hiking, why was I wasting my time getting ready for a run that I no affinity of any kind for.
Today I made a decision to refocus on the activity that I love and to just forget about the run. This mornings workout wasn't much different than the ones I have been doing but I attacked it with enthusiasm! I know it will make me a better stronger hiker for the next big adventure.
My point in all of this is to truly stay motivated, find an activity you like and enjoy and focus your workouts around those activities. It is much easier to go to the gym or get out and exercise when you can directly associate it with something you truly enjoy.
