You check your mail, and inside is an invitation to your friend’s wedding. Instantly, you start thinking you want to get in better shape before the nuptials. You start working out daily and eating more mindfully. A week passes, and you step on the scale, only to be disappointed when you see the number did not budge.
Frustrated by your results, you Google search “how to lose weight fast.” Immediately, you come across blog articles with “secret diets” promising 10 pounds down in a week or insane workouts that claim they can leave you in the best shape of your life. You decide to double down and start a heavily restricted diet with extreme workouts, leaving you sore, starving and exhausted.
Does this scenario sound all too familiar? Maybe instead of a wedding, your motivation was the summer season. Or perhaps instead of doubling down on your efforts, you gave up on your healthy habits all together and turned to a pint of ice cream. At some point, we’ve all been there.
Motivation is tricky when it comes to starting a new workout routine or making any sort of life change. While change is hard, you can make it easier on yourself by finding your why — motivation that runs deeper than aesthetics and short-term goals.
Using motivation like the above scenario can be demotivating for two reasons. First, if you constantly use the motivation of your looks and weight, you can grow frustrated and unmotivated if you aren’t hitting your desired weight loss goals. Maintaining a healthy weight is important, but instead of focusing on the number on the scale, focus on developing habits that are sustainable long-term.
Sometimes, too much focus on a number can leave you desperately trying solutions that are extremely unhealthy, which in turn sets you up for greater health concerns and injuries. Focus on forming sustainable habits, and the results will follow.
Secondly, short-term goals like exercising before a wedding don’t necessarily translate to long-term success. While you find motivation for that short-term goal, what happens after the event occurs? Do you just go back to your old habits?
Instead, it is vital to develop a deeper sense of what a healthy lifestyle, specifically exercise, can do for you long–term. Take a moment to envision yourself as you age. (Yes, age — the inevitable aspect of life that everyone tries to avoid.) How did you envision yourself? While aging poses challenges, there are various lifestyle behaviors you can start immediately that will help make the process smoother and allow you to maintain a strong quality of life. It is important to realize the decisions you make now will directly impact you down the road. Focusing on healthy habits not only sets you up for greater success, but it also can help you direct your attention to what is most important: a long, healthy life.
Engaging in regular exercise has been proven to slow down cellular aging. By finding a routine that works for you, you can drastically improve your mood and confidence and maintain stronger bones, muscles and mobility to help yourself perform daily tasks while remaining injury free, minimizing pain and stress.
Exercise can also help you build a strong immune system, assisting with maintaining a healthy heart and limiting your chances of developing various diseases or conditions. Think about that: A daily investment in exercise gives you so many amazing dividends. Ultimately, it allows you to accomplish your goals and live a long quality life.
Let your future motivate you. Let exercise enhance your life long–term. You are the captain of the ship, and you control the direction you want to travel. Allow the motivation to live a long, healthy life be the wind in your sails!
by Lauren Scotti