How to Stay Motivated to Workout

Out of the many things we try to balance daily, including work life, dating, time with friends, eating well, the list goes on, going to the gym is one of the first tasks we tend to cut out of our routine when responsibilities pile up and we get overwhelmed. Today on the blog, I’m joined by Margot Legare of Heels In Maine; we’re teaming up with Shift Portland to discuss how the benefits of physical activity go far beyond a sculpted physique, as well as and how to stay motivated to workout regularly.

While we often associate working out with outer body goals, such as looking good in a bikini, in reality, physical activity can do so much more for our bodies. Regular exercise can prevent diseases and increase brain function, help reduce your risk of cardiovascular mortality and mortality from colorectal cancer, breast cancer, or prostate cancer. For those who already have a chronic condition, exercise may also help to reduce symptoms. Being active has also been said to help reduce depression and anxiety levels—even pregnant women who are more physically active have reduced risks of postpartum depression.

Moving your body is incredibly important for your health and even more beneficial when you enjoy doing so. Let’s be real: one of the main reasons we cut working out from our daily routine is because it can be draining and unpleasant. Listed below are our key takeaways for staying motivated:

Buddy Up

You may have guessed it, but pairing up with a buddy will help make any workout more fun, and most importantly–it’ll hold you accountable. Team up with someone who shares a common goal. Before you start out, write down what you plan to achieve, and share this with each other. For instance, Margot and I talked about how we each want to start with an attainable workout goal of at least 20-30 minutes a day of physical activity.

Switch Up Your Routine

Let’s face it, who doesn’t dread going to the gym day after day to run on the same treadmill? Ditch the boring workouts and look for an alternative, more upbeat version to spice things up. It could be that you run outside while the weather is nice, or attend a workout class on a rainy day. To put this principle into action, Margot and I attended a circuit training class at Shift together, and unlike more traditional group fitness classes, the ones at Shift are limited to eight people per class, which makes their coaches able to tailor the exercise to better fit individual participant goals.

Invest In (Cute) New Activewear

Never underestimate the power of a little retail therapy to get you motivated! In addition to a standalone gym, Shift also has a retail store filled with gorgeous performance and leisure wear. A hot new strappy sports bra and fitted leggings can be just the right outfit to unleash your inner confidence.

Reward Yourself

Before you even head to the gym, build in a reward so that you have something to look forward to after you work out. When you have something to look forward to, it’s easier to not only make yourself workout in the first place, but it will also motivate you while you are at the gym to crank out those crunches. If you are local to the Portland area, Margot and I highly suggest visiting Blake Orchard after the gym for a green juice or smoothie bowl. Not only are their menu items insanely delicious and Instagram-worthy, but they are all completely plant-based so you can feel guilt-free while you enjoy them.

No matter what you end up deciding to do to stay motivated, it’s important to remember that you are worthy of daily exercise. While it can be truly hard to balance all of life’s crazy elements, your mental and physical health are at the top of importance. We so often forget that working out is a form of self-care and self-love.