Tools For Motivation

ARE YOU READY? LET'S ROCK!!!!!

Sometimes lack of motivation sneaks up on an athlete of any level, and I'm not immune. While I may not skip a workout, I admit I'm just going through the motions at times. Here are a few tips that can keep you on your Fitness Track:

1. Treat recovery days as part of your routine. For shift workers, we may need more than we think to recover from a hard workout.

2. Drink plenty of water. Your performance in and out of the gym can be severely reduced if you are dehydrated. We all know this, yeh, but we still manage to skimp on water intake. DRINK WATER RIGHT NOW!

3. Set an "Event Date." Whether it's a team competition, a trip to Mexico, a figure competition, a day when you are going to meet an old friend, a race, or the like. Have a date set for your goals to heighten the sense of urgency.

4. Surround yourself with positive, fitness minded people who will kick your ass when you slack.

5. Reward yourself when you meet your objectives. Get yourself something shiny and new that you really want: something for your snowmachine, tickets to a football game, workout gear, a trip, cool gear for your motorcycle.....you get the idea. Put a picture of it on a calender to remind you to stay on track.

6. Subscribe to fitness magazines and check out fitness websites.

7. Buy a cool notebook and log your workouts and meals and track your progress. Seeing results of your hard work alone is motivation.

8. Don't beat yourself up when you slip. Immediately get back on that horse.

9. Update your iPod with new songs for good high energy workouts.

10. Add variety into your fitness routine especially if you been working out for years. Try any of these:
kettlebells,
jump rope,
Pilate's,
plyometrics,
boxing,
swimming,
calisthenics
Body Pump/Spinning classes

11. Publicly commit your fitness goals to people you know.

12. Find a fitness buddy who's at your own level. Even if you are 100% committed to your workouts, working out with someone does elevate your motivation.

13. No matter what level you're at, remember this:

*YOU ARE AN ATHLETE*

NOW GO TRAIN LIKE AN ANIMAL!