Thought about my motivation, now what?

Step one was “A change in mindset” because it is so important to understand where your motivation comes from – is it internal or external?  We are far more likely to be successful with internal motivation.   

You may have to keep working on this step throughout your journey -that’s ok too.  Be kind to yourself.

What is Step Two?

 Making a plan:

So, you’ve thought about why you want to make the change, what’s next?  Next is realistically making a plan that you can stick with, sometimes easier said than done. Many of us have gotten to step two over and over and have trouble sticking with it.

These are things that I have found helpful to keep myself motivated:

1.       Pick a realistic goal – maybe one day you will run that marathon, but let’s start with run/walking a mile (or half mile) several times a week.  Reaching your goals really helps motivate you to stick with them and encourages you to keep raising the bar. 

2.       Sign up for something – my husband and I always joke that if we paid for it, we are doing it!  Most races offer reduced prices in December, so take advantage of the saving and set your goals early, pay for the race and put it on your calendar. Having the race or goal on my calendar makes it real and helps me stick with my plan.

3.       Gradually increase your goals – to avoid injury and burnout start small.  I know you want to lose those 10 pounds, but it’s not going to happen overnight.  Aim for a pound or so a month and you are much more likely to reach your goal.

4.       Write your plan down – there is something about writing down goals and tracking progress that helps me stay on track.  I use both a notebook and my Garmin watch to track workouts and progress. 

Pick your goal and give these tips a try. Try not to get frustrated if you fall off the wagon. Get right back on and keep moving!

Check back soon for ideas on how to move forward with your plan!

Getting ready for the Nanticoke Sprint triathlon with my son