How do you motivate yourself when motivation is down? I tend to set small goals and then build up.
I don't want to work out today, but I put my shoes and shorts on....
I went and did a full workout, including some core work.
"Go walk on the Riverfront Trail," I told myself today. "It's a beautiful day."
Walking, I always break into a run. Feels like I'm flying! Ran four miles.
Showing up is half the battle.
I don't get motivated unless were taking a trip. Sad but true.
I don't get motivated unless there is beer at the end of it !
It is hard sometimes. Occasionally my own motivation dies and my goals take a slide. When that happens I remind myself not to berate myself. That only makes things worse.
I never work out. My hobbies and my work suffice.
In other instances though, (like going to work, doing my invoices) it helps to recall things I am or should be grateful that I have. And how much worse off my life could be.
I read somewhere that it takes a couple weeks to form a habit. I've found when I "fall off the wagon" regarding working out or other good choices, I have to really push myself to get back to it again. Like you, I set small goals and slowly each accomplishment builds on the last, I get momentum, and I feel better, and "I can't believe I stopped doing this!" The trick just seems to break the inertia somehow. I find writing down my intention helps.
There are different days, some better when you have gread motivation, some worse when you can't rise on your bed. There is an quote that say : "if the man would be constantly, he would be perfect"
When I don't have motivation I take a rest, read something for my soul and I'm trying not to think or make decizions. I try to accept my mood and I know that it will be change next days ( if I will be alive)
I try to keep to a schedule. I walk in the morning in the park, write every day in my blog, do marketing posts and hopefully have time to paint on top of everything else. But those things I do everyday. Keeps me motivated by and on track.
I promise myself more time on the parts I like (swimming) and less on the parts I don't (treadmill).
I think swimming is best sport ever. I like a lot
I try and do 9 miles a day, but some days I am not as motivated so I might cheat and cut off a couple miles. But even the days that I am not able to go workout I do not worry about it because some times your body needs a day off every now and then. I can usually get a better time the next day even.
No sarcasm...lol A normal day, 9 miles should take me about 90 minutes with an extra 50 lbs. I also go do marathons, basketball, and competitions. I am getting ready to go to Orlando in about a month for the next competition.
I started out about 9 years ago barely able to do a mile. But I just kept doing it and finally it got easier so I added more distance. It was not until I started doing 5 miles a day that I also started adding weight with me. I always liked the quote "No Matter How Slow You Go, You're Still Lapping Everyone on the Couch."
If I don't feel like working out, I bargain: "I'll just do a light workout" or "I'll just do upper body." Mentally take myself by the collar, and march myself to the gym.
Once there, I do my habitual 90-minute, full-body weightlifting session, following by abdominal exercises and stretching.
It never fails. Once I'm there, I feel motivated.
Small habits, rituals, routines are a key part of motivation.
If you have things you do repeatedly, confidently, you can stretch (motivate) yourself for others.
Another tactic - write things down! Or use an online tracker. If it is exercise, write down what you did do. Focus on that. Don't worry about what you didn't do. Focus on what you did. And with time, you should see that you have a routine that you can slowly increase for more results.
Most of all - keep at it!