Hey Babes! It’s Nathalie here with some exciting workout motivation for you.
I can’t wait to cover off 3 things I’ve learned about working out lately that have made it something I’m actually loving!
This is really exciting to me, because while I have worked out in the past (trained for a marathon and 2 Tough Mudders, getting toned and strong before events), I’ve always struggled with consistency, and I’ve never felt like I’ve LOVED working out before.
Of course, I DID workouts. But I didn’t LOVE them.
I just kept thinking, “there has to be a better way” and, “I want to love my workouts”.
So it is with GREAT excitement that I am now starting to LOVE workouts, and these are 3 of the big things that I’ve changed!
Here’s to you kicking workout ass with workout motivation today!
3 Workout Motivation Tips:
1: Let it be your time to let go.
As you warm up your muscles, let it be your time to let go of your mind, thoughts, worries, stresses and emotions.
You can do this by focusing on what your muscles feel as you’re warming them up.
Bring your focus and attention into your body, and release the rest of the day.
This was a big insight and switch for me because I’ve always LOVED meditation for this, and I’m starting to now see working out as a style of meditation. Eeeek! 🙂
2. Stay in the moment.
Keep bringing yourself back to how your body is feeling, it’s your mantra of sorts through working out.
In meditation you might create a mantra for yourself to help steer you back on your route when your mind wanders. For example, “I love me” or “Yes!” or “Happy” or “sleep” might be mantras. Or there are loads of ancient mantras from India you might have been exposed to.
But using your body as your mantra keeps you not only in touch with your body (important for avoiding injuries), but it also keeps you out of your ego (who will try to push too hard and create injuries).
Try not to focus on the outside of your body; keep this a body-positive and love-filled experience.
Bring your awareness IN to your body. To the muscle that’s working. To the muscle that’s getting stronger. To the you who’s being replenished!
3. Say thank you at the end of your workout. I think this has been the biggest change and I absolutely love it.
Thank you to yourself for showing up.
Thank you to your workout guide, or video that you’ve had the honour of being able to watch and participate in today.
Thank you to your soul and muscles for being able to accomplish what you could today.
Create a thank you series that’s short, sweet and ends off your workout really positively, from the heart.
I think for me it’s been so powerful because it’s the last thing I do before re-entering my day. So then when I think back to working out, the most recent time-memory of it was positive and love-filled. Talk about workout motivation to do it again!
Picture it like a great boss. If you’re getting recognized for work well done, aren’t you more inspired to keep it up? If they give out gifts or prizes or even just say a deeply authentic, “thank you, this really helped the project move along”, doesn’t it make your next day a little brighter? At least a little, right?
Don’t be a shitty boss of yourself! Don’t get yourself to do the work and then not even notice it, or worse, criticize yourself about it non-stop! That’s one sure-fire way to dissolve all workout motivation EVER.
Do your workout. Say thank you. Even if it was crappy, thank you for showing up. Thank you for trying. Thank you for making it through. Thank you for making you a priority. Thank you for working towards the body you want.
Lastly, one more bonus thought for workout motivation: Take the rests you need, without beating yourself up. If you’re just starting back out on a new routine, challenge yourself – absolutely! – but stay in what’s reasonable for you, and know that next workout you’ll be able to do more until suddenly you’re rocking the entire video, tape or class. Rome wasn’t built in a day, my friends.
Happy working out dreamy vibes! The world and our souls can use those endorphins today.
XO! Nathalie
Holistic Nutritionist
