FAQ: HOW DO YOU STAY MOTIVATED?

I know that getting fit and staying fit is going to help me do the things I love for as long as possible. For me, that’s being in the gym, playing football, running, participating in Crossfit and constantly being active. The better I take care of myself, and the more I take care of myself, the more longevity I’ll have. That’s my #1 motivation.

Another motivation for me, which is simply another way to look at my main motivation, is to defy what people think a 30 year old something should look like, then a 40-something, then 50-something, etc. I want to defy all of that. And the only way to do that is to keep going for it. Stay consistent. Stay positive. Always try my best.

Luckily for me I enjoy a good workout. I enjoy the uncomfortable feeling of a heavy lift, super long run, or grueling interval. It wasn’t always that way, but I trained myself to get there. The more disciplined I was with training, the easier it became, and the more motivated I got to continue. Sort of like how I trained myself not to crave certain foods. I stopped eating unhelpful foods, and eventually I didn’t want them anymore. I know that training, eating right, and being consistent will lead to success. Guaranteed. There are very few, if any, guarantees in life. But if you truly commit to fitness, you’ll be successful. Guaranteed. If you work out consistently, you will get fitter. Guaranteed. If you eat better, you will manage your weight and improve yourself, guaranteed. On the other hand, if you go to your job everyday and work hard, while that’s definitely the way to approach it, and it should work for you, it won’t necessarily be a guarantee for success. That’s just the hard truth. With fitness you don’t need a skill, you don’t need to play politics, you don’t have any competition other than yourself.

For as complicated as people want to make fitness, it’s really not that complicated at all. As long as you have a plan, and the motivation to be consistent, then you will succeed. If you’re at a crossroads of sorts, always remember, it’s never to late to change. It’s never too late to start. Find what motivates you and constantly remind yourself every day: If I follow my plan and I’m consistent, I will succeed. Without motivation, your goal will be far harder to achieve. And don’t look to other people for motivation—while it might work in the short term, long term motivation needs to come from within.