Let’s face it starting anything new, from fitness programs to full-time jobs, can be tough,
especially when you’re unsure of what to expect or how to go about doing it. If you’re just
starting out with your first fitness program, here are 7 tips to stay motivated as a beginner.
Set Goals
For every fitness program, it is important to set achievable goals that you know you can
accomplish. This will help build self-confidence and let you realize the benefits of being active. Make your goals something that are attainable, but difficult enough to make things interesting. Your goals can be simple like “I will go on a 30 minute walk every day” or they could be more challenging like “I will train for an endurance event and run 10 kilometers.” Whatever the goal is, take time at the beginning of your fitness program to write it down and read it out loud so that you can keep yourself accountable.
Stick to Routines
One of the easiest ways to stay motivated as a beginner is by sticking with your routines. Write down your routine and include why it’s important for you and how long you plan on doing it. Include any days that are off limits, what equipment you need, if you’ll be working out with anyone else, and how long your workout will last. By knowing ahead of time what your exercise regime will be like on any given day and having it written out before you go into the gym, then there’s no guessing about what to do next or when to do it.
Focus on Form First
My next tip for staying motivated is to focus on form first. Train the mind, and then the body will follow. Focusing on form is imperative for success at the beginning, especially when you are doing exercises that are more technical and require more precision. Doing something right every time engrains it in your muscle memory, which makes it much easier to keep going in tough times when things might get sloppy due to fatigue or low morale
Think Long Term
Many beginners struggle to stay motivated because they are focused on short-term goals.
Some people even expect that their fitness goals will be reached in the first 2-3 weeks.
However, this isn’t always achievable. And the moment people realize that, they get very
demotivated. So, how to stay motivated as a beginner? You need to think long term. Be realistic with yourself – where do you see yourself in the next year or two? How do you expect your body to look? Another positive thing about thinking long term is the fact that your body changes will occur slowly and gradually. This will also keep your hormones in check, appetite regulated and metabolism stable. All these factors are crucial for sustainable weight loss or muscle gain.
Move At Your Own Pace
If you’ve been following your fitness routine for the past few weeks and it’s getting harder, remember: you’re not just building muscle. You’re also challenging your muscles, which means that they may get sore. No pain, no gain! The most important thing is to listen to your body. If one day you feel like stopping because it feels too tough, don’t! Slow down or take a break if need be but keep moving at your own pace and within the realm of what’s comfortable for you.
Keep Things Fun and Add Variety
Make exercise enjoyable and less of a burden. Start by trying out activities you’re interested in, whether it’s yoga, running, or biking. Making exercise more fun by doing things like listening to music or bringing someone along can also be helpful. If those activities aren’t your cup of tea, there are plenty of others that provide the same benefits!
No matter what your routine consists of, you’ll want to make sure that you’re engaging in
different workouts on different days of the week so that your body isn’t plateauing from too much repetitio
n and overuse.
Don’t Forget Self-Care!
This isn’t just for beginners.
Everyone should practice self-care in all stages of their life. In the beginning, self-care can be as simple as taking a few minutes for yourself before or after your workout. For example, you could spend those few minutes in meditation, journaling, or getting some deep breaths in. This will provide you with an opportunity to recharge and prepare yourself for the next exercise routine you have planned for yourself that day—regardless of how long it may be or what type of workout it might be. Alternatively, if you need more of an activity break but don’t want anything too taxing mentally (or physically), then give each muscle group its own mini-workout and stretch session instead!
Summary
Starting a new fitness program or a regime can be tough. As a beginner, staying motivated
when big changes are being implemented can be a little overwhelming too. However, motivation comes from within. Remember that your body goal should be your goal only. It doesn’t matter what other people are saying or doing. What matters is where you want to be and what you’d like to achieve.
We hope that you’ve enjoyed our 7 tips to staying motivated as a beginner, and you’re ready to get started!