Finding your Why and being clear about it
Have you ever started a new fitness routine, only to lose motivation and give up a few weeks later? If so, you're not alone. Maintaining motivation and commitment to fitness goals can be a challenge for many people. That's where having a strong "why" comes in.
A "why" is your personal motivation or purpose for pursuing fitness goals. It can be anything from wanting to improve your health, to wanting to feel more confident in your appearance, to wanting to perform better in a particular sport or activity. Whatever your "why" may be, it is an essential component of long-term success in your fitness journey.
In this blog post, we will explore the importance of having a strong "why" for fitness and how it can help to drive your success. We will also discuss strategies for finding and staying true to your personal "why" and for maintaining motivation along the way. So if you're ready to take your fitness journey to the next level, read on!
Section 1: What is Your "Why"?
What is your why? Why bother? Why pursue fitness its uncomfortable, hard, slow adaptations, and you have to be more disciplined. Surely there must be a reason for doing all this.
There are many whys out there and many different justifications as to why one would pursue fitness, just like personalities, an individual’s whys vary immensely. Over my years of personal training, I’ve heard people say I want to lose weight to look good naked, to have my spouse think I’m attractive, to get my old energy back, to play and keep up with my kids, so I can stay alive. Regardless of what your why is, you have to be very clear on it and it has to mean something special to you.
Section 2: How to Find Your "Why"
You may be thinking to yourself “I don’t even know where to start how do I find my why? This one is a tricky one it has to kind of come from within. It has to be personal, what helps some people is journaling what’s important to them and then from there seeing how getting more fit would improve what they wrote or if getting in better shape would help anyone around them like a spouse or someone reliant on them like a child or even a pet….yes I’ve had clients want to get healthier so they can take their dogs on long walks and play more.
Once you do identify your personal why, you have now unlocked a superpower, you have created a justification for doing something challenging, or when it comes time to make a sacrifice or change a habit, you now have an emotional reason as to why you should follow through with the change. This is powerful.
Section 3: Staying Motivated
Having a strong powerful why is a great way to stay motivated.When you can focus on the positive impact that your fitness journey can have on others, such as your family or community, can provide a strong sense of purpose and help to maintain motivation.
If you still find it hard to get motivated even with a powerful why consider the following (IT HAPPENS TO EVERYONE)
Set specific and achievable goals: Setting specific and achievable goals can provide a clear direction and sense of purpose, which can help to maintain motivation.
Track progress: Tracking progress can help to keep you motivated by providing tangible evidence of your progress and helping you to see how far you have come.
Find a support system: Having a supportive network of friends, family, or a fitness professional can provide encouragement and accountability, which can help to maintain motivation.
Change things up: Mixing up your workouts or trying new activities can help to prevent boredom and keep things interesting, which can help to maintain motivation.
Set small, short-term goals: In addition to long-term goals, setting small, short-term goals can help to keep you motivated by providing a sense of accomplishment and progress along the way.
Celebrate victories: Celebrating victories, no matter how small, can provide a sense of accomplishment and help to maintain motivation.
Practice self-compassion and self-care: Being kind and compassionate to yourself, especially on days when motivation is low, can help to maintain a positive mindset and support long-term motivation.
Remember, motivation is not a constant – it can fluctuate over time. It is normal to have ups and downs, and it is important to be patient and kind to yourself. By using these strategies and finding what works for you, you can stay motivated and committed to your fitness journey.
Having a strong "why" for pursuing fitness goals is essential for long-term success. It provides a clear purpose or motivation that can help to drive you forward, even when challenges or setbacks arise. A strong "why" can also help to keep you focused and committed to your goals, even when motivation is low.
In addition to providing a sense of purpose, having a clear "why" can also help to keep you motivated and on track. When you have a strong "why", it can provide a sense of accountability and help you to stay true to your goals. It can also provide a sense of accomplishment and progress, which can help to maintain motivation.
Ultimately, having a strong "why" is essential for achieving long-term success in your fitness journey. Whether your "why" is centered on health, appearance, performance, or something else, it is important to identify and embrace your personal motivation in order to support your success. Take time to reflect on your "why" and use it as a guiding force in your fitness journey