Once you get in a good routine it can be hard sometimes to stay in it. It can be even harder to stay motivated to live a healthy lifestyle. So many temptations of yummy cocktails, rich food, and Netflix instead of gym time.
4 Ways To Stay Motivated To Live A Healthy Lifestyle
Take your measurements/before and after photos: So hear me out on this. I am not saying you have to post them publicly (I surely don’t) but I will say having these measurements and before photos are an insanely great motivator to continue a healthy lifestyle! When I was trying to lose the baby weight I would look at the photos of myself and say “nope that cookie is NOT what I want.” The measurements are great too because I see in NUMBERS (not scale numbers) what is happening to my body. Since muscle weighs more than fat even if you aren’t losing scale numbers you are probably losing inches.
Challenge Yourself: If you keep doing the same thing at the gym, or the same workout class, you won’t feel challenged and it’s SO easy to quit. Same with eating the same foods. Challenge yourself to cook new healthy recipes, or meal prep. Challenge yourself to up your speed on the treadmill or elliptical or to try a harder yoga class.
Have a long term goal/reward: Is it a number on the scale? A great pair of jeans you want to fit back into? Set a goal and then reward yourself. My long-term goal was a number, but I was way more excited when I fit in shorts I hadn’t worn since my honeymoon! My reward? To get another pair of the shorts!
Keep It Fun: At the end of the day if you hate your workouts, hate your food, and hate your life you won’t keep going. I just downloaded Aaptiv a few weeks ago! It is SO fun. They have literally HUNDREDS of workouts. It’s basically like having a personal trainer in your ear, along with amazing music. They have a 30-day free trial I highly suggest (not sponsored-just love it). Keep your healthy food fun, keep your workouts fun, and keep your life fun. Nothing will motivate you more!
How do you stay motivated to live a healthy lifestyle?
I can’t agree more with keeping the journey fun! I used to force myself to do exercises that I didn’t particularly like, just because everyone else was doing it. Needless to say, my healthy kick fizzled out quickly!
Taking before and after photos definitely keeps me motivated. I did a 30 day fit challenge in January and hadn’t really realized just how big of a change I had made until I compared my before and after photos. It really motivated to keep going past the 30 days!
While I try to not focus on measurements, I find that before and after stats or photos are my best way to stay motivated. Not only does it make me want to constantly improve, but I am also driven by numbers. I agree with you that making it fun is a necessity. If not, then it will eventually become something you hate! Great post!
Great post! I felt like I was in a rut with my eating habits so have changed things up the past few weeks, taking more time to prepare natural foods. I feel better 🙂
I love having challenges to look forward to and I definitely am in need of a new one asap as I’m noticing some of my healthy habits slipping lately and it does not feel very good! 🙁
Great tips here. Since going to the gym I’m sure I’m weighing more and I hope it is because muscle weighs more than fat but sometimes still disheartening. I wish i had taken some body measurements before I started though x
You have to make things fun! If you don’t , things get stale and boring. Making things a chore and soon forgotten. I love challenging myself as often as possible
Super easy ways to stay motivated to live a healthy lifestyle. I love it. You are always so motivational and inspirational with your information, I appreciate what you share!
This helped me to stay motivated when I was trying to lose weight. I lost 30 lbs last year. I kept track of every workout I did, tracked my water intake, and took pictures 2 times a week and measured and weighed myself every week.
Fun is definitely key in the motivation factor! If it isn’t somewhat fun we won’t do it right? It also great that you included measurements. Seeing progress really helps me stay motivated.
Whenever I am working toward my fitness goal I always have to have variety in my workouts! My current combo is weekly barre classes, running outside for cardio, and do indoor strength work at home. I love that I can exercise in three different environments and I never get bored!
Could you do a blog post on workout ideas for someone who doesn’t have a gym membership (or the money for one ;P) or a yard to workout outside (so basically stuck in their house for working out)? That’d be awesome! Mostly for staying motivated. I follow YouTube videos but it’s hard to stay motivated.
<3 Brooklyn | latidoblog.weebly.com
Having a both long-term and short-term goals are huge for me! When I know I’m working toward something, like an event, a trip, or just doing a handstand, I’m so much more motivated! Great post, girl! So happy to connect with you!
Taking short challenges has been a game changer for me. I feel like if I can do it for a week, then I can see a clear picture of what results I can expect. Then, I can give myself a short break and try again. Staying motivated is much easier for me when I have an end date in mind.
You described it very well – the path to a healthy lifestyle is very difficult, long, and requires a lot of devotion. It’s hard for some people to stay motivated all the time, but those who succeed can only win. Keeping track of your process is a good way to keep your spirits up and show you that everything you do, all the pain and exhaustion, have a greater purpose.
I can’t agree more with keeping the journey fun! I used to force myself to do exercises that I didn’t particularly like, just because everyone else was doing it. Needless to say, my healthy kick fizzled out quickly!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Great tips! I love challenging myself and journaling about my progress! It’s so motivating.
Great post, great advise.I completely agree with keeping the fun.
Taking before and after photos definitely keeps me motivated. I did a 30 day fit challenge in January and hadn’t really realized just how big of a change I had made until I compared my before and after photos. It really motivated to keep going past the 30 days!
While I try to not focus on measurements, I find that before and after stats or photos are my best way to stay motivated. Not only does it make me want to constantly improve, but I am also driven by numbers. I agree with you that making it fun is a necessity. If not, then it will eventually become something you hate! Great post!
Ashlee Stuart
http://www.ashleestuart.com
Great post! I felt like I was in a rut with my eating habits so have changed things up the past few weeks, taking more time to prepare natural foods. I feel better 🙂
This is such an easy post to read and the content is fabulous!
Love these tips. I am always trying to live a healthier lifestyle but keeping the motivation up is the trick!
I recently got a fitness tracker to help me move more. My goal is 10,000 steps per day and my tracker keeps me motivated.
I thought these were really good tips! I’m trying every day to be more healthy. I’ll definitely need to challenge myself even more! 🙂 Super inspiring!
xo, Chloe // https://funinthecloset.com/the-spring-trend-im-loving/
I love having challenges to look forward to and I definitely am in need of a new one asap as I’m noticing some of my healthy habits slipping lately and it does not feel very good! 🙁
Great tips here. Since going to the gym I’m sure I’m weighing more and I hope it is because muscle weighs more than fat but sometimes still disheartening. I wish i had taken some body measurements before I started though x
http://www.franklyflawless.com
You have to make things fun! If you don’t , things get stale and boring. Making things a chore and soon forgotten. I love challenging myself as often as possible
It’s all about making it work for you!
I needed this today! I am having a lazy Monday but I am going to go work out today! Thanks for the inspiration!
Great tips! This is very motivational. I like the idea of taking photos to measure physical results.
Super easy ways to stay motivated to live a healthy lifestyle. I love it. You are always so motivational and inspirational with your information, I appreciate what you share!
This helped me to stay motivated when I was trying to lose weight. I lost 30 lbs last year. I kept track of every workout I did, tracked my water intake, and took pictures 2 times a week and measured and weighed myself every week.
Fun is definitely key in the motivation factor! If it isn’t somewhat fun we won’t do it right? It also great that you included measurements. Seeing progress really helps me stay motivated.
I always take my measurements! It’s so much more rewarding than the scale and it’s a more true indicator of my weightloss.
Oh gosh, motivation can be tough. I think rewarding yourself in some way is always good – not in bad food, but something else. haha
Whenever I am working toward my fitness goal I always have to have variety in my workouts! My current combo is weekly barre classes, running outside for cardio, and do indoor strength work at home. I love that I can exercise in three different environments and I never get bored!
Wonderful post. I needed the reminder of these. I’m so horrible at staying motivated.
I love eating so even though I am dieting, I am making the meals yummy and fun. I am also trying new workouts with friends to stay motivated!
Yes, such great tips! I actually just did photos and measurements this past week… and needed the inspo.
Great tips! Setting specific goals really helps me stay focused!
after just having my eight baby, this post is going to come in very hand as time goes on
These are such great tips. I so need to stay motivated to exercise, I always seem to find an excuse but I am totally working on it!
I think having a big reward at the end (and even some smaller short-term rewards) is a great motivator!
-Jennifer
https://maunelegacy.com
Oooooo so many great suggestions!!! I swear as long as you make things somewhat fun, you can accomplish anything! You just need to have a good time
Such great tips! I’m the worst and never exercise. I need to start!!
Could you do a blog post on workout ideas for someone who doesn’t have a gym membership (or the money for one ;P) or a yard to workout outside (so basically stuck in their house for working out)? That’d be awesome! Mostly for staying motivated. I follow YouTube videos but it’s hard to stay motivated.
<3 Brooklyn | latidoblog.weebly.com
I absolutely can! I do a lot of workouts at home since I have a baby and can’t always get out! This is a great idea!
I’ve always been to lazy to take the before and after measurements. I’m starting to believe that might be where I’m missing the mark.
Motivation is really hard to find, but this post surely helps!
This is a great post and ideas! I have not worked out in i can’t tell you how long. It definitely takes a lot of motivation.
Having a both long-term and short-term goals are huge for me! When I know I’m working toward something, like an event, a trip, or just doing a handstand, I’m so much more motivated! Great post, girl! So happy to connect with you!
I definitely agree that before and after pictures are so key!
Taking short challenges has been a game changer for me. I feel like if I can do it for a week, then I can see a clear picture of what results I can expect. Then, I can give myself a short break and try again. Staying motivated is much easier for me when I have an end date in mind.
You described it very well – the path to a healthy lifestyle is very difficult, long, and requires a lot of devotion. It’s hard for some people to stay motivated all the time, but those who succeed can only win. Keeping track of your process is a good way to keep your spirits up and show you that everything you do, all the pain and exhaustion, have a greater purpose.