Over the past few years I have noticed that there are two types of fitness personalities. The first type is the intrinsic motivator, a person that can self motivate and accomplish his or her goals solely by their own thought process. The second type of personality would, of course, be the extrinsic motivator, a person that requires the presence of another person to motivate them. We all need motivation in our lives whether it be for your job, family, or in this case, self improvement. As an avid gym goer and personal trainer, I know how both personalities function and I want to help you find ways to motivate yourself by using any of the following tips.
First and foremost, I always recommend setting a timeframe for when you would like to accomplish your ultimate goal. This can be an event you may have coming up or simply want to look good on the beach before summer time hits. By setting a date you allow yourself to stay focused and on track with what you want to achieve. A typical timeframe for great results is usually around 4 months (12 weeks). Another great way to stay motivated is to keep a log/ journal of the workouts you perform, keeping track of sets/reps/weight used. Keeping track of your workouts allows a person to see his or her improvements on paper. Seeing these accomplishments gives a person a sense of pride and lets them know that what they are doing is in fact improving.
Bringing a friend or spouse with you in your activities can make a difference as well. If both of you have goals and want to see the other succeed, receiving motivation from one another can help tremendously. By having that person there with you it prevents lazy behavior and promotes positive self efficacy. On the contrary, if you are alone in this fitness venture, music can make a world of difference in motivation. Recent studies have proven that music actually improves performance during a workout. No matter where you workout, I guarantee you will see people listening to music through headphones. Some gyms even play music over the speaker system. So pick music that you enjoy and get to work!
Finally, if you still can’t seem to find motivation through these suggestions then it might be time to hire a personal trainer. Personal trainers, such as me, provide the experience and motivation a person might require to keep them going. Not only do trainers have the knowledge necessary to see improvements or personal gains, but we also acquire great people skills. I encourage everyone to find their motivation and always keep it in mind, for it is a driving factor in the results you want.
– Nick Cupp, CPT
Nick Cupp is a Certified Personal Trainer at iN8 Fitness (weight loss programs, personal training, rehabilitation) in Lake Mary, FL. He attended the University of Central Florida where he majored in Sports and Exercise Science. He is certified as a trainer through AFAA. Call our Lake Mary office today at 407-302-5161 to see how we can help you meet your weight loss and wellness goals!
