How To Keep Your Fitness Motivation

I hate running in the summer. It's too hot, most of the routes I go on are off road which I hate and it's sticky. Give me a cold November night any day. I've kind of lost my running mojo over the last few weeks but I have a few races coming up which I'd like to get a particularly time for so I'm just going to have to suck it up and get running over the next few weeks.  

Here are a few tips on how to maintain your fitness motivation when all you really want to do is stay at home. 

Dress to impress - There's no denying it, dressing in some nice fitness clothes always makes me want to go and workout. If I'm outside running with friends I like to wear a finishers t-shirt from a race I have finished as it makes me feel proud and like I can actually run. In the gym I like to wear fancy gym kit from Sweaty Betty, Nike or New Balance. It's kind of like that saying 'dress for the job you want'. 

Make a date - Running or working out with friends is 100% better than doing it on your own. I can just about manage a 5k on my own but that's it. Arranging to meet a friend for a run you are more likely to stick to it. Running a mile with a friend is always better. Booking into a class always seems to push me to go. I feel like I've made a commitment. 

Write it down - I like to write my workouts down the weekend before. So I know what I am doing. If I am heading out with friends on an evening I try and get a workout in before work. 

Data - I use my Garmin to keep track on my runs and my fitbit to log my gym routines. Comparing with friends is a good way to motivate me. Now I only run for myself and don't want to chase anyone down but it's a fun way to see who has been racking up the miles during the week. 

Inspirational books - When I'm not running I really like to read books about running. Running Like a Girl is my favourite book I have read so far I've got the rest to finish (I'm a slow reader). 

Set a future goal - Like me, I have a goal in mind for a few months time. This is going to be my main motivation. I often forget what races I have entered so I have started marking them down in my diary on how many weeks there is to a certain race to remind me that I am on official 'race count down'. 

Music and podcasts - Now I'm not a massive fan of listening to music while out running as I like to chat to my friends, but when I'm in the gym, that's another story. I like to make playlists for different genres of music. There's all kinds from a musical playlist full of sounds from Hamilton, Wicked and The Book of Mormon to a playlist called Gansta Chic with Jay Z, Kanye West and Beyonce on it. Something for every kind of mood I'm in. Podcasts are something I've just got into recently, I love murder mysteries, Serial and S Town are my favourites. 

I'd love to hear your ideas for on how to stay motivated? 
         

How To Keep Your Fitness Motivation