Summer Isn't Over: 5 Ways to Motivate Yourself to Get In Shape

By Jane Farrell

There are days that we cannot wait to get to the gym and feel the burn, and there are other days we can hardly get ourselves out of bed. The thought of “working out” on those days makes getting your teeth pulled feel like a more appealing option.  Despite that feeling, if you want to look and feel great this summer you have to shift your attitude and make those workouts happen. It’s not too late!  And your new summer habits will be much easier to follow when the cool days of fall roll in.  Here’s how to get started:

Set Goals. Decide which days and how many days you’ll work out – and do not allow for flexibility.  Goals can be achieved only with an unceasing commitment to following through.  Choose goals that are reachable with your schedule, and put these goals in your daily planner to be able to cross them off once you have finished them to completion. Each goal you cross off will motivate you to do it again and again.

Create an image. Think of how you’d like your body to look, taking into account your genetics and body type. Now that you have that image, start working toward it with diet as well as exercise. The commitment to diet is important – when you eat well, you’ll immediately feel better and have more energy to exercise. One begets the other and your self-esteem and body image will improve quickly.

Make an appointment.  If getting to the gym is hard, then make an appointment with a friend, a trainer or a class teacher. Sometimes having an appointment or having someone to work out with and keep you accountable will get you to the gym on the days you don’t want to go.

Don’t forget the music. Music is motivation. Create several workout playlists that will help you to get in gear. Sometimes a great playlist will be enough to get you to the gym so you can not only enjoy working out but also tuning out into great music an hour. Music has the power to instantly brighten your mood and distract you from the efforts of exercise.

Reward yourself.  If you are going to work out, lose weight, look more fit and toned and get stronger,then you may as well reward yourself with a massage or day of total rest to create a great balance and more motivation to work out.  One of the best rewards you can give yourself is to go shopping for that newly fit body of yours.

A healthy body will harvest a healthy mind, and vice versa!  Get going!