Chapter 27
Ten Ways to Stay Motivated
In This Chapter
Committing to an event to jump-start your fitness program
Finding inspiration in others
Spicing up your workouts
F
or some people, the motivation to work out comes naturally. These
people have the same passion for exercise that others have for wine
tasting or watching NASCAR or following the stock market.But for most people, the inspiration to work out comes and goes. And the
truth is, even the most dedicated fitness buffs go through periods when they
just don’t feel like lacing up their cross-trainers and heading to the gym.So what separates those who can pull themselves out of the exercise doldrums
from those who succumb to feelings of inertia? There’s no single strategy.
Instead, successful exercisers tend to rely on a whole repertoire of tactics. Here
are ten of the best ways to keep yourself motivated. Try all these strategies.
At least one is bound to work for you.Train for an Event
Suzanne once interviewed an Olympic weightlifter who described himself as
a “pretty lazy guy.” “If I wasn’t training for the Olympics,” he said, “I probably
wouldn’t even work out.”Even if you don’t aspire to hoist 424 pounds overhead before thousands of
screaming fans, committing to an event can jump-start your workout program.
The options are countless — a 5K walk, a 10K run, a mini-triathlon, a 100-mile
bike ride. The minute you mail in your entry fee, you have a whole new sense
of purpose. And the feeling of accomplishment you get from completing your
event is like nothing else.