With all the negativity in the world today, it can be difficult to remain positive. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, I have had to deal with stress and anxiety.
Stress can drain your energy and motivation to exercise. After a stressful day, I don’t want to exercise. It takes discipline and a lot of effort to get my body moving again.
Positive self-talk and positive thinking are key. How we talk to ourselves and how we direct our thoughts can have a huge impact on our decisions and the overall outcome of our day.
So that you and I can both learn from Apex Performance how we use positive self-talk to motivate ourselves, I have interviewed a few of them. You will feel super motivated, and spoiler alert.
Motivation tip #1 for Workouts: Set small, achievable goals
Apex Performance instructors believe in setting small goals to build motivation for your workouts. Brittany Noelle, the instructor, says that confidence is all about setting small achievable goals and then achieving them. Your workouts will be more enjoyable if you have more success.
We can show self-love and compassion for ourselves and our bodies by taking action. In return, it creates positive mental pathways which build confidence in ourselves and motivate us to do more.
Sam Candler, an Apex Performance Instructor, wholeheartedly agrees that small changes made over a long period of time can lead to great results. She suggests that you define what small changes should look like if you aren’t sure what they mean.
While outcome goals like losing weight and doing a pull-up are great to have, they can be difficult to achieve. You should focus your energy on behavioral goals such as exercising four times per week or drinking three liters of water daily. Your behaviors are yours to control and you can adhere to them to get closer to your goals.
You can reinforce a system of actions by building habits rather than outcomes. When you have the honesty to take responsibility for your own positive thinking and self-talk, it is much easier to instill positive thinking and behavior.
Tip #2 for Motivation: Be Realistic
It is essential to manage your expectations in order to stay motivated. It’s not easy to stay on top of unrealistic expectations. This can lead to feeling defeated and can steal your motivation.
As instructor Sam states, “Perfection doesn’t exist. Reaching your goals is not necessary. You won’t be able to achieve your goals if you don’t comply for one week. 80% compliance will get you there in 10 weeks.
It is easy to get distracted by one workout that you missed and lose track of your goals for the week, weeks, or months. Keep in mind the bigger picture. Remember that you are human and that humans are imperfect. Don’t expect to be perfect. If you are unable to exercise, don’t be discouraged. Instead, keep going.
Tip #3 for Motivation in Workouts: Enjoy the Process
Sam recommends that you learn to love the process as well as the results of your workouts in order to find positive energy even in the everyday. It’s impossible for positivity to escape your life if you love what’s happening.
How to have fun with the process It is a daily practice of listening to your body and mind. This will help you find the right workout for you. It creates a strong connection between you and your exercise routine, which increases your enthusiasm and boosts your motivation.
Sam advises that you “find a workout you enjoy and be present in each moment.” Take in all the positive vibes, and let them put the swagger into your step.
Apex Performance Health & Fitness offers Workout Motivation
Let me close with a story Apex Performance instructor James King shared with us about encouraging positivity.
“The Tale of Two Wolves”
An old Cherokee teaching his grandson life lessons. He said to the boy, “A fight is happening inside me.” It is a terrible fight between two wolves. One is evil: he is angry. He is envious. He is sorrowful.
He said, “The other one is good – it is joy, peace and love, hope. This fight is happening inside of you and within every other person.
After pondering it for a while, the grandson asked his grandfather: “Which Wolf Will Win?” The old Cherokee replied simply, “The one that you feed.”
This post was written by Darryl Johnson, Co-Owner of Apex performance. At Apex performance we are a community of highly trained experts looking to provide performance enhancement and a permanent lifestyle change for our clients in a fun and interactive environment. Members can take advantage of a best personal trainer in Tampa, one-on-one training, small group classes, and specialized courses for a wide variety of athletics, sports training, and body goals!
