Motivation is Overrated

"I'm just not motivated!" 
Honestly, me neither. Here's what to do about it.

There's a lot of talk about motivation in the health & fitness industry. Getting motivated, staying motivated, heck, I even did a series of "Motivation Monday" emails and Instagram posts.

But let's get real. Sometimes -- maybe a lot of times -- we just aren't motivated.

The fitness industry might view this as a failure. We must stay motivated to reach our goals, right? If we're not motivated, that must mean we're lazy, or we don't want it enough, right?

What is motivation, anyway? Psychology Today calls it "the desire to act in service of a goal. It's the crucial element in setting and attaining our objectives."

We might need motivation to set goals for ourselves, but we need more than that to actually get there.

We need systems. We need routines.

Motivation is cool and all, but sometimes we just don't have it. Sometimes there's other stuff going on, and there is no pressing desire or urge to eat healthy or go to the gym.

More than a constant well-spring of motivation, we need a well-designed system to point us in the direction of the actions and choices that will take us where we ultimately want to go.

For example, I work out most days of the week. This is not because I pop out of bed every day excited to pull on leggings and start throwing weights around. It's also not because it's my job, because since COVID I'm only teaching 2 days per week.

I work out most days because I have a workout program with a set number of workouts each week. If I skip one, I don't get all my lifts in. Even when I don't feel motivated, I don't have to think about it. I have a workout to do, and I just follow the plan.

When you wake up in the morning, are you super motivated to go to work? Maybe sometimes, but many times, it's probably just what you do at a certain time Monday through Friday (or whatever your schedule is) because you're getting paid to do so. It's a routine. You don't have to think about it; it's just what you do.

We set and follow so many routines in our lives, sometimes for years at a time. We can do the same for fitness, nutrition, and wellness. By taking the guesswork out of it and making a plan, we're more likely to be successful, no motivation required.

If you're struggling with motivation, try making a schedule instead. Decide when you'll go to the gym or work out at home. Write it down. Put it in your calendar. Tell your gym buddies so they can hold you accountable. And don't stop to think about whether you want to do it or not. Just stick to the plan.

When you do that the majority of the time, you'll create a solid routine so even when something comes up at work or at home, you'll be able to get right back on track. You might even feel, dare I say, motivated to do so. And when you stick to a consistent routine, you'll have a better chance of reaching your goals, and you might even feel more excited to keep working towards them.

Don't wait for motivation or inspiration to strike. Set a routine -- even if it's just the same healthy breakfast every day or at least 15 minutes of walking -- and stick to it 80% of the time, and you'll likely see more results than if you're waiting for the Gym Fairy to sprinkle her Magical Motivation Dust on you.

Need a workout plan or guidance creating a well-balanced schedule you can stick with? Get in touch!