Motivation in Sport

Great, you've learned about exercise and proper nutrition, you're convinced about the positive effects, so how do you keep motivated.

Staying motivated is one of the biggest problems that arise for both new and regular fitness persons. Use the following points to help you achieve your goals.

Set Achievable Goals:
Even if you do want to look like Arnold, start with a more reasonable and achievable goal. At first start with a goal you know you can meet. Make that goal and feel good about it, then set another. Reward yourself each time you reach your goal with some thing you like.

Visualize Your Success:
On days you find it hard to start your program, imagine how you look and/or feel on meeting your next goal. Picture yourself having made that achievement and then get to work. Alternatively visualize how you may look if you don't keep up the good work.

Monitor Your Progress:
Keep a daily diary or log of your activities and progress. This will not only show a record of your success, but also serve as a reminder of all your efforts so far, don't let them go to waste.

Work-Out with A Partner: 
There is nothing like having some peer pressure to help keep you going. Find some one who is fun to be with and has their own fitness goals. Together you can enjoy some quality time and help motivate each other. Someone whom is fitter than yourself will generally be more motivational as you will try and keep up with them. Like wise somebody, who is not as fit as you, will give you a chance to excel, as you know that the other person will try and keep up.

Watch TV or Video:
Watch the news, your favorite soaps, sports or East enders to help pass the time and make even more efficient use of it whilst training.

Play Your Favorite Music:
Listening to music while you workout can help keep it interesting, relaxing and fun. If you don't like the music they play at your gym, buy a personal stereo and play your own music at your own volume.

Get Some Focus Reminders:
Place a special picture, note or object where it will serve as a reminder of your promise and commitment to get and stay fit for living. A photograph of your family, a photo of how you used to look, good or bad, whatever makes you work.

Don't Push Too Hard & Stay Hydrated:
Unless your training for some athletic activity that requires otherwise, don't work your self harder than necessary. If it hurts or is even uncomfortable then stop and do something different. Proper exercise does not require pain. Keep a water bottle handy, and take regular intakes of fluid, a dehydrated body, cannot function properly

Dress Comfortably:
Don't worry so much about how you look, but more about how you feel. Dress in loose fitting, comfortable clothes that are made for working out. If you decide to wear a tracksuit keep shorts and T-shirt underneath, so you can take the tracksuit off when you get hot.

Wear Comfy Shoes:
Take care of your feet. Wear comfortable shoes that can breathe and offer support. You may want to consider a special pair of shoes you've set aside just for exercising. Wearing sports socks will also reduce the risk of blisters.

Workout on A Set Schedule:
You get up, you dress, you eat, you work, etc. Makes sure you program in your exercise time with as much concern as you do these other basic necessities. Manage the 168 hours well each week, and it will be easy to fit in some quality training time, because your life depends upon it.

Start Today: RIGHT NOW!
Write down a list on a piece of paper, all the reasons you have for not being able to do any form of exercise. Using the same list, overcome all of these reasons to find out if it is only yourself that is preventing you from a healthier lifestyle.

As well as the specific information on fitness equipment, why not find out more about some general health & fitness tips as well specific fitness tips. We also provide some ideas on how to buy gym equipment, use motivation tips to hepl you worklout at home with the new equipment and then set up aerobic exercises, fitness training and stretching guides.

Part of motivation is how you approach a situation, so why not check the rest of our motivational tips on the next page :