Motivation Comes and Goes

Most of us start a health-journey with a single moment of motivation. We were motivated to take those action steps needed, and sure enough on day one or two after being motivated, we take those action steps. We go for that walk. We do some squats. We head to the fitness center and take a class. Whether it’s a movie, a social media post, or a conversation, for most of us we see our motivation jump up for a short period of time.

 

So for two days, you are doing great! As long as you have enough motivation you’ll take action steps. However, after a few days (or maybe a week if you’re lucky), the average person’s motivation starts to run low.

 

This is why people are successful in the gym after setting a New Years Resolution, or for the weeks leading up to a reunion/wedding/vacation. These are the times where people are seriously motivated to make change. Unfortunately, that up and down motivation wavers but our goals, hopes and dreams of good health don’t.

 

That initial boost of hopeful energy is when you have filled your motivation tank but now the effort required to get up early and exercise (or whatever it is), is slowly chipping away at your reserves (and your nerves). So you’re back on the search for more motivation. And when our motivation takes a nose dive, old habits start to creep back into the picture and start to pull you back down to where they want to be!

 

So what do you do?  You need to keep that motivation in the forefront of your mind if you are going to keep going.  We have all heard the phrase: “Give a man a fish, he’ll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, he’ll eat for a lifetime.”?  I am going to steal that line: “Give someone some motivation, he or she will train for a day. Teach that person to build structure and discipline, she’ll/he’ll build healthy habits for a lifetime.”

 

So, the next time you are motivated, don’t use that motivation to JUST reach your health goals, use that motivation to build healthy habits that make you stay in the action zone longer. And you can do this with STRUCTURED DISCIPLINE!

 

Trust me, structured discipline is your ticket to long-term success. The more discipline you have, the less dependent you’ll be on another dose of motivation to take action.

 

Here are some examples of structured discipline:

 

Are you motivated to...

• Eat better? Don’t just eat a day of healthy meals. Prep healthy meals for the whole week! Learn an easy recipe and add that menu/dish to your toolkit.
• Work out? Schedule all of your workouts your calendar, block it out, set reminders, have a friend waiting for you and make a system for packing your gym bag the night before you go to bed. Commit to a 5K or pay for swim lessons.
• Motivated to start exercising in the morning? Move your alarm clock across the room, (set 2 alarms if you have to) and build a system of support by starting or joining a group.

 

Building a lasting routine and changing our habits takes commitment.

 

Here are some tips to help you along:

• Set realistic expectations. Aim for consistency, not perfection and don’t beat yourself up for an occasional slip-ups.
• Find your why. Remind yourself of the benefits your new healthy routine brings.
• Make it enjoyable. Incorporate activities you find pleasurable, such as listening to your favorite music, or cooking/exercising with friends or family.
• Track Your Progress. Use a checklist or an app to stay motivated and celebrate your wins. Celebrating small victories can also keep you motivated.
• Establish a routine and stick to it. Consistency is the key when it comes to maintaining any routine and making changes.
• Make adjustments as needed. This allows you to be flexible and willing to adapt your routine based on changes in your schedule, new goals or preferences. Remember that the goal to building healthy habits to create a routine that works for you.
• Hold yourself accountable. Share your goals with your coach, a friend or family member to help hold yourself accountable.

 

In closing, remember: The best wellness plan is the one that works for you, so don’t be afraid to customize and refine as you go. Embrace your new lifestyle and conquer your day!