Your Ultimate Guide to Fitness Motivation in 2022

It happens to all of us. We jump into the gym on January 1, confident that this is the year that we’re finally going to get in shape. Fast-forward to March, and our running shorts and fitness shoes are tucked in the back of the closet.

This happens when we don’t thoughtfully consider our long-term fitness motivation. When it comes down to it, you need an entire system of motivation and discipline to reach your health and fitness goals. But as you may have experienced, it’s not as simple as it sounds.

If you’ve been looking for tips to help you stay on track and in shape for years to come, we’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find a complete guide to building sustained fitness motivation

Workout Motivation Tips to Try

There’s no easy shortcut to fitness motivation (although certain tips can give you a boost when you’re in a slump) — but there is a process you can follow to stay on track.

This process looks a little like:

• Viewing your routine as a healthy lifestyle (and not a get-fit-quick-scheme)
• Writing down your goals
• Starting with small steps and building on them
• Focusing on habits you like
• Leveraging tools or a trainer to keep you on track

Let’s take a deep dive into each of these tips so you can build a strong foundation for workout motivation:

View Your Routine as a Healthy Lifestyle
(and Not a Get-Fit-Quick Scheme)

• It boosts your mental health by giving you a flood of feel-good endorphins.
• Exercise and improved nutrition drive an overall healthier life and a decreased risk of some major diseases, like strokes and heart disease.
• Staying active helps you feel more confident. You gain a sense of accomplishment knowing you put in extra effort to reach your goals

Write Down Your Goals

Writing down your goals forces you to get specific. You need to clarify what you want, how you’re going to get it, and when you plan on reaching each milestone. A goal-setting strategy is priceless whether you’re aiming for weight loss, increased energy, or overall wellness.

So, how can you set fitness goals that actually work?

First, start with the long-term vision you have for your health. Do you want:

• Better heart health?
• Stronger muscles?
• Better mental health?

(If your goals include getting shredded or slimming down for a self-esteem boost, that’s alright too!)

Just keep it sustainable, reasonable, and remember to think of things in terms of your overall health.

In any case, be specific and genuine about what you really want, and write it down! Better yet, jot it down and tell a friend or coach for added accountability.

Then, structure the steps you’ll take to get there. For instance, shedding a few pounds might require a weightlifting and cardio routine, along with adjusting your daily nutrition.

(Hack: Work with a coach or personal trainer to create a future-proof plan and bring these goals to life.)