What’s up, BodyFitters? Amy here, with the answer to one of your most common questions: how do I stay motivated to work out? 

Wouldn’t it be great if I did have the answer? If the key to motivation could be broken down into one 30-second TikTok? We all struggle with motivation at some point (myself included!), and what might get (and keep) us motivated can vary. This is why I constantly remind you to “Be where you are today” and know that taking breaks is okay, even when you’re not feeling motivated. 

We tackled the motivation conundrum in depth this week in the BodyFit Athletic Club and had a great discussion that ended with us all feeling, well, motivated! We discussed what has worked for BAC members to stay motivated and examined what the science says. Join us in the BAC to catch the whole video, but today, I’m sharing a few quick tips that might help you on your own motivation journey.

 

Find your JOY

It sounds cliche, but finding the fun in workouts and the joy in movement leads to consistency in exercise. We know this from past research, but you probably also have experienced this in your own life! Everything changes when you stop dreading your workout and find a way to show up that works for you. This doesn’t mean you’ll love every second of the workout (pulses, anyone?), but when you love how your workout makes you feel, you want to return. 

 

Variety is key

You already know I love variety, as my workout calendars and challenges feature new workouts every day. This variety can also keep us consistent and motivated with fitness. A 2016 study found that participants with various workouts were likelier to adhere to a fitness program than those who did the same thing every day. Switching up our fitness formats keeps our bodies and brains from getting bored and helps prevent overuse injuries and burnout. When we know something different is coming up, we are more motivated to keep showing up. Wins all around!

 

Remember, exercise is a choice

You don’t have to work out; you get to work out. Maybe exercise feels like a chore or something you should do, but when we reframe our thinking and how we speak about exercise, we create autonomy and see exercise for what it is: a choice. You have the choice to show up and get to choose how, when, where, and why you show up. This workout is for you.

 

Be in a community

Working out with friends is fun, and signing up for a group exercise class helps keep you accountable, but what about online communities? When we polled our BodyFIt Athletic Club members, 84% of them reported gaining consistency in exercise from being in the BAC community. A fire gets ignited in us when we see our peers completing their workouts. And when we invest in a membership, whether that’s a gym, the BAC, or any other community, we tend to increase our accountability. That’s pretty amazing, and I am honored to have created a space that helps others find that consistency and motivation.

While we keep the cost of the BAC incredibly low, I want everyone to be able to access a community of like-minded individuals, so make sure you check out my free Show Up & Keep Moving group if you haven’t already. It’s a Facebook group with BodyFitters from around the world and a good starting point for those looking for motivation from other BodyFitters. If you want the all-inclusive version of support, which includes direct support from me, our dietitian, a knowledge library, and amazing members worldwide, give us a shot at the BodyFit Athletic Club.

 

Focus on the short-term

It sounds counterintuitive when long-term goals are often the focus of exercise, but thinking about the immediate effects of exercise can be our best motivator at the moment. How do you feel after a workout or even five minutes of movement? Most of us feel energized, accomplished, happier, stronger, and less stressed, just to name a few. Remembering how we FEEL with activity often gets us to lace up our shoes, pick up the weights, or press play on a video. Long-term goals are great, but short-term benefits are just a few minutes away!

 

Motivation will come and go, and some days and weeks will feel easier than others. That’s just life! Remember these science-backed tips for those tougher, busier days, and remember all you have to do is Just Show Up.