Some Tips to maintain your beauty and fitness

Let’s face it, there are days and even weeks that we don’t feel like exercising. Maybe we are tired, maybe we feel overwhelmed, maybe we have lost sight of our goals or maybe we just feel stuck. Whatever the reason, staying motivated and consistent can be very challenging. So, we have put together a quick list of tips that will help keep the spark, consistency and motivation in your fitness journey alive.

1. Check your goals

Goals are great! In fact, several studies have shown that goal-setting has a direct link to higher motivation, self-esteem, self-confidence and autonomy (1). So, we always advise clients and our audience to set out clear goals at the start and during their fitness journey. However, it is super important to remember to keep your goals realistic and achievable.

You can do this by setting SMART goals (see the article we wrote on how to start your fitness journey).

SMART goals will help you stay motivated by showing you a clear path towards success, as well as showing you the direct correlation between your actions and your results. (Gupshupworld)

2. Make it fun

No one enjoys doing something they do not want to do. Actually, we are more likely to lose interest and motivation altogether. A recent study found that even among active individuals, continued engagement in the same exercise can halt progression and ultimately reduce the motivation to be physically active (2). So, where possible try to switch things up!

Ways you can make exercise fun?

• Try a group class
• Train with a partner or friend
• Join a fitness challenge
• Test out new equipment
• Try a different training style (HIIT, Circuit, Yoga, Boxing)
• Change your music playlist
• Try a different workout videos online

3. Reward yourself

We are hard-wired to do the least amount of work for the maximum amount of reward and joy is one reward that the brain loves. Joy is an intrinsic feeling that triggers the release of the happy hormone dopamine. Dopamine acts as our brain’s main reward center and plays a vital role in motivation, mood, attention, memory and movement.

So, whether it is with a  an açaí bowl or an episode of your favorite show, giving yourself a reward after exercise creates a neurological habit loop that will keep you going back for more. (Gupshupworld)

4. Follow a schedule

Making decisions takes huge amounts of energy and in today’s world we are faced with thousands of decisions every single day. Following a schedule is a surefire way to avoid what we call decision fatigue. As mentioned in the point above, our brain is hard-wired to be as efficient as possible, anything that slows the brain down is considered a threat and something that we feel the need to resist. By following a schedule, you increase your productivity, create healthy habits and reduce the chance for obstacles/distractions