"Too much work?" Get over it!

"I've got too much work to do" is a classic excuse for chronically skipping your workout at the gym. More than likely, your priorities are mixed up and you lack the discipline.

Most gyms open at 6:30 a.m., are open at lunchtime and after most children are in bed. Although it's not easy to change your routine in the morning, at lunch or in the evening, it's not impossible.

Here is an example: Gilles, 44, is a senior manager who, instead of taking an hour and a half for lunch, chooses to go to the gym. To change the routine, sometimes he goes for a run outdoors and comes back to the gym to complete his training and take a shower. His level of energy is always at the maximum and he stays in shape. It's his choice.

Certain business lunches and dinners are unnecessary, as can be many meetings. Know how to decide whether they are important before committing. Ask yourself, "Is this occasion or meeting more important than my health, my sense of balance and my vitality, in the short and the long term?"

Tip: When you decline an invitation, say you already have a meeting or another commitment. That way you can avoid the negative pressure that can be so effective – and harmful to you.

top

The "I don't have time because of my family" excuse

When you are the mother or father of young children, juggling your work schedule and family obligations – and traffic jams – is a struggle. How can you find time to keep going to the gym? And how can you keep from this excuse – the ultimate excuse? Here are some solutions to their temporary challenge that other parents have found.

1. As soon as the kids are in bed, one of the parents goes off to the gym.
2. Alternate weeknights: Dad stays home with the kids on Mondays and Wednesdays while Mom goes to her aerobics class, then Mom holds the fort while Dad works out and Tuesdays and Thursdays, and so on.
3. Temporarily reduce your number of visits per week, going twice instead of three times, for example.
4. Take the children to the gym with you. Certain Énergie Cardio centres have courses for children, and some have a play area or a supervised "kids' corner."
5. Go to the gym two noon-hours per week and save the weekend for family sports.

Here's to your Énergie!

top

Putting an end to the "I don't have time" excuse

There is an increasingly strong correlation between regular exercise and our mental awareness, concentration level, productivity and vitality. Never having time is a matter of choice based on our priorities.

If our health is one of our most important values and we do nothing to improve this area of our lives, we can expect not only to be unhealthy but also to be frustrated, irritable and unhappy. Ask yourself the following question: are my values reflected in my actions?

What is keeping you from having time to work out? Is it your job? Can you go to the gym in the morning or at lunch instead of in the evening? Most gyms open as early as 6 a.m. It has been proven that our productivity increases with regular exercise. Perhaps this benefit alone will be enough for you to find the time to go to the gym.

top

Putting an end to the "I'm too tired" excuse

It's been shown – and you've probably experienced it yourself – that if you regularly perform physical activities, you can seriously reduce the drowsiness that occurs when you're about to leave for the gym.

Still not convinced? If you want to feel less tired, have more energy during the day, get some restorative sleep, improve your digestion, as well as your concentration at work (therefore reducing the amount of overtime needed to achieve your results), there really is no great secret. You've got to engage in sporting activities. You've got to sweat. You've got to move.

Every time I've gone to the gym despite my body telling me: "No, don't go… Get some rest instead… You're tired… I want to have dinner, enjoy a glass of wine, stretch out on the sofa and watch a movie, then go to bed…," I've always come back feeling fresh and relaxed. I've never left the gym thinking: "I shouldn't have gone!"

But if you're really tired, nothing's to prevent you from "cheating" a bit. When you feel that you're truly exhausted, yet it's time to go, don't break the commitment you've made to your schedule; instead, do some stretching and less strenuous cardiovascular training sessions. You'll sleep much better after going to the gym, even though you may be more tired than if you'd skipped and gone to bed without it.

top

To compare yourself or not

I am often asked if it is good to compare yourself to others to grow and stay motivated. I would say that it depends on the intention and the reason behind the comparison. If we are comparing ourselves to people or personalities who are our "role models", it could indeed have a positive effect on our psychological health and our motivation, by inspiring us.

On the other hand, most of the time, comparing ourselves to others automatically means putting ourselves down. We instinctively look for strengths in others. People who often compare some of their own aspects (professional, physical, financial, social, etc.) to others are frequently people with low self-esteem. In this respect at least, they are more fragile than the average person.

In general, your battle should be between "you" and "yourself". Between your good and bad habits. Between your excuses and your reasons. Between your why and your how. Between your desires and your needs. Between your goals and your status quo. Not between you and the person next to you. We have enough pressure as it is. Why take on more? Does the person we compare ourselves to have more potential than we do? That would mean that we are putting ourselves down. Try as best as possible to fight battles that will help you in your life. It's up to you to judge.

top

Fight off your demons

To keep motivated to go to the gym, maintaining our good habits is as important as getting rid of bad habits. Adopting the new habit of working out regularly is a decision that entails new choices, i.e. adding activities to our daily life and to our schedules.

On the other hand, our new commitment towards our health and well-being also implies changes to some of our habits. Some of us will have to discuss who will be looking after the children and planning their activities with their spouses. Others may have to go to bed earlier – particularly, if they have chosen to work out early in the morning before going to work.

To help you fight off your demons, I suggest an exercise. First, make a list of all habits and behaviours that you want to eliminate. Then, list the things you will do to replace the habits you want to replace. It will be easier to get rid of a bad habit if you know in advance what will replace it.

top

Positive Personal Reinforcement

Staying motivated means feeling good about ourselves and our activities. Although it is possible to be encouraged by the people around us, nothing is better than doing it ourselves. It consists simply in congratulating ourselves mentally and verbally for basic actions, for example, for having gone to the gym, for having completed the workout routine or for having finished our group class although we were tired. Don't worry that it may look ridiculous.

When you get into your car after working out, say to yourself: "I'm really proud of myself… I was so exhausted before coming… I will sleep really well tonight!" Be happy that you went, that you did what you did. This attitude and self-dialogue will boost your confidence and push back any idea of giving up or laziness that could creep in during your next scheduled workout session.

This practice will also make you more independent about your need for approval. Your motivation will grow and be stronger. Also remember how full of energy you feel, the sensation of lightness and that indescribable and unique "revived" feeling that follows a good workout session.

top

A resolution that works: a habit

"We are what we repeatedly do.
Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."

- Aristotle Greek Philosopher and Scientist, 384-322 B.C.

Are you one of those people who are never able to keep a resolution? You are not alone! Resolutions alone don't work. The key is to develop a habit.

Do you need a motivation to brush your teeth every morning and every night? Or has it become a habit? For it to become a daily ritual, our parents had to motivate us to brush our teeth. The same applies to many other daily activities. Once they become a habit, they are done automatically, more as a routine than out of necessity, choice or desire.

It has been proven that to create a new habit or change an old habit, a particular behaviour must be repeated daily for 21 to 28 days (source: Psycho-Cybernetics, Maxwell Maltz). Of course, no one wishes to go to the gym for 28 straight days. So, without going into too many technical details, here is what could increase considerably your motivation to go to the gym, without turning each session marked on your calendar into a production of persuasion.

Once you have decided on your choice of activity, I recommend planning for 2 complete months, without interruptions. That means, two months of perfect attendance. Record your sessions in your daily planner and go to the gym for all of them, come what may; even if it is only for half a session. The important thing is to firmly condition your body and your mind to go to the gym. After one month, the worst is behind you. After two months, it has become a habit. The idea is to create a routine three times a week, for eight weeks, which amounts to 24 sessions in total.

To your next good habits!
Happy New Year

top

Taking stock

During the crucial first two months of workouts, we strongly recommend keeping a success diary to help you stay motivated. This diary will really support your (new) endeavours. The idea is to establish a personal record of your daily efforts. It should be confidential. Only you should have access to it and you should record your successes as well as your frustrations. It is sort of an insurance against the famous saboteurs around you, including yourself. Because, as you well know, your biggest obstacle, is you!

This success diary will not only help you to express yourself and let off steam, but very soon it will help you get motivated. In fact, yesterday's victories will become your inspiration today and tomorrow. What could be more convincing that our own victories and personal transformation when the shoe pinches and motivation starts to flag? It's very reassuring to see that everything we have accomplished so far has been possible thanks to one thing only: our own commitment! This diary, in which you should also assess your progress, will become a more valuable ally with each passing day.

top

Why go to the gym

Without exaggerating, 90% of our motivation comes from the response to the question, "Why is it important to us?" If you want to be and stay motivated to go to the gym, find out why.

A study of the etymology of the term, motivation, reveals it contains the terms motive and action. Motivation is the motive to move on to the action. By finding out what your motive or motives are, it will be easier to persevere with your fitness regimen.

So, what is your motivation for starting to go or continuing to go to the gym?

• To improve your physical appearance considerably
• To avoid losing your physical independence
• To improve your sports performance and strengthen the muscles you use most while practicing your sport, to avoid injuries
• To improve your golf handicap
• To delay the effect of time on your body and degenerative illnesses
• To improve your health and vitality
• To increase your self-confidence.

Whatever your reasons for going to the gym, they must be very personal to ensure their impact on your motivation. A tip: make a list of your 20 reasons for going to the gym and keep them in sight at all times!

top

A personal trainer or not

Would I be more motivated if I had a personal trainer? In my opinion, the most reliable person to help us work out is a paid expert! Indeed, resorting to a professional has many advantages. In the first place, in addition to being more motivated, there is the crucial aspect of safety. Your personal trainer is an expert on how to use the machines, the weights and the dumbbells, on the movements you should do and the weights you should use.

Another important point is performance. In certain aspects of my training, I had never achieved as much as I did with my personal trainer. He succeeded in pushing my limits. We always do better when someone is watching us! My personal trainer helped me to forge ahead taking into account my goals, my physical limitations and my personality, which helped me greatly to achieve results; another advantage of using the services of a personal trainer.

A witness of our success, our personal trainer helps us celebrate our victories and reminds us constantly of our successes, which contributes to our motivation. He or she also offers the necessary encouragement.

The decision to invest in a coach to ensure success is a personal one, but one that is also difficult to ignore when our health and physical condition are close to our hearts. Without doubt, counting on the services of a personal trainer has a direct positive impact on our motivation and our results.

top

Choosing Your Fitness Centre

Throughout the province, there is a multitude of places offering fitness facilities, services and equipment, but to maintain your motivation and regularity there are some factors to consider when choosing your exercise and fitness centre.

Choose a place close to your home or work. That's one of the first criteria to consider when choosing a gym where you want to become a member. To stick to your workout schedule, don't make distance an obstacle.

Choose a place where you feel comfortable. Don't disregard how you feel about a particular location. The atmosphere, cleanliness, resource people, clientele – and the "soul" of the centre – are all factors that could affect your response. I advise you first do a trial session, on a day and at the time you intend to work out regularly, before committing to signing up.

Know your priorities. A delicate but important detail: your budget. Find a centre that meets your needs and where the price is not an obstacle to your signing up. Some people complain they can't afford the $40 a month or so that many gyms charge, but then I see them laying out $50 or more for a restaurant meal, several times a month. It's more often a question of priorities than a question of budget.

top

Make the decision

We often hear people say that they would like to go to the gym, be more active, etc. But there is a big difference between wanting to do something and deciding to do it. Wanting or wishing for something to happen, unfortunately is not enough. We must make a firm and clear decision and act on it. Nothing better than a commitment to others to ensure perseverance, i.e. tell our goals to people that are dear to us and/or we admire.

The following is an example:

Dear Friend, I hereby wish to share with you my commitment to losing weight and improving my muscular tone. My goal is to work out three times a week starting October 15, 2007. Through this action my health will improve and I will feel better in my skin. Each week, I will inform you by e-mail what my official weight is and the number of workout sessions I have completed. I am happy that you support my new way of thinking and that I can share my challenge with you.
- Marc André

Keep it in view at all times to remind you of your commitment.

top

Be careful who you spend time with

Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.
- Mark Twain Writer and Humorist

To stay motivated, we must know how to preserve the effects of our workout. This also means that we must pay attention to the people around us.

In fact, sometimes our circle of influence (family, friends, co-workers) includes little success saboteurs. These nay-sayers appear most often when we have ideals or dreams that surpass their level of accomplishment, exposing us to an avalanche of pessimistic and reproachful messages that have a negative effect on the achievement of our goals. Unfortunately, it is human nature not to want to face our weaknesses and have our failings pointed out.

Faced with the commitment you have just made, many people around you, who were passive up to now, will become defensive when they recognize their lack of willpower or their inability to take action, as you are doing. It is always easier to pull someone down to your level than to make the changes and strive to rise to a higher level.

From now on, you will have to choose the persons you hang out with even more carefully. The provocative messages and negative energy that some persons around you will spew out, could unfortunately upset your precious progress towards an active, fit and healthy life. Be careful with the people you choose to associate with. These people could be motivators but also have a detrimental effect on your commitment to go to the gym.

top

Going to the gym accompanied or not

Going to the gym alone or accompanied by a friend is first and foremost, a personal matter. However, from a motivational point of view, is one option preferable to the other? The answer is yes. In fact, for people who have tried working out both ways, there is no question. We are always more consistent, disciplined and motivated if we can share our commitment, our feelings and our progress. There is also the pleasure of the inevitable personal exchanges during the session. In fact, the key is to become obligated to a person other than ourselves. That person must be someone we respect and admire.

In addition, I always found myself working out with people who were more advanced than I. This made me push myself to try to catch up with them. But that is a personal choice.

Therefore, I recommend that you work out with someone. If that is not possible right now, you will meet other members who may become your workout partners. This question does not apply to members who participate in group courses. There are already many of you to encourage each other, not to mention the instructor who also acts as a motivator.

top

Talk about your success

Another important positive effect on your commitment to the gym, is to talk about your success to the people around you. Of course, only to people who are prepared and interested in hearing about it. You will find such an attentive audience in the staff of the Énergie Cardio centres, your trainer – if you have one – and some of the members that you got to know during the last weeks and months at the centre. Some co-workers, who work out too and are interested in your progress, could also be open to your occasional, brief and always positive news. And surely, our true friends are always eager to listen to us on those terms!

Even if it is not your nature to talk about your progress and successes, try it. You will be surprised how much positive energy it will give you, and consequently you will be more motivated.

Even if your workout sheet is proof of all the wonderful levels you have reached, in my opinion, nothing can replace verbal communication. Like with celebrations, we feel a natural need to share our successes. It is a tribal ritual that continues to exist. In the past, the tribe we belonged to used to gather around a fire and each person would share their difficulties – to get moral or material support – and their victories with the other members of the tribe. It is absolutely normal, healthy and vital to share one's victories. So talk about it! It's not showing off.

top

Mental Preparation

"We become what we think about, day after day."

- Earl Nightingale, Author, The Strangest Secret

Proper mental preparation helps us to attain our goals and remain motivated. Here are some hints to increase our probabilities of success: 

Start by thinking
We become what we think about, day after day. The simple fact of thinking about what we want to achieve is very powerful. People who want to lose weight must already see themselves at their healthy weight. The same applies to someone who wants to quit smoking, develop new exercising or eating habits, etc.

Practice visualizing

Creating an image
The first step is to create an image of ourselves with our new exercising habits, from the points of view of physical image, mental state, financial success, renewed vitality, human relations, etc. Then, all we have to do is find pictures that correspond to our new self-image and place them on a bulletin board, in a picture frame or in a notebook.

At bedtime:
The unconscious works while we sleep. The moments before falling asleep are undeniably the best time to fix the images that you want to create in your mind.  Close your eyes and visualize the type of person you want to become. The more positive details and emotions you add during your creative visualization period, the greater the chances are that your vision of your health condition and energy will become a reality.

Good Luck!

top

Doing activities you love

Passion is the engine of motivation. In fact, doing one or more activities that we love helps to keep us motivated. Motivation and feelings go hand in hand. From now on, going to the gym should not only mean working out on machines, with weights and dumbbells. No matter how old you are and what your interests and your current physical condition may be, there is more than one suitable activity to entice you. It would be a pity to deprive yourself of the many benefits associated with physical activity in a gym, simply because you do not know about the different services offered at your favourite centre.

This is why, with the wide range of programs and services available at the Énergie Cardio centres, it is essential to choose activities that suit us, that is, activities we love to do. And if you don't know what you really like, then just try! There is room for everyone. You don't like working out on machines but love to dance? Group classes like aerobic dance or Cardio Latino can be a lot of fun. There are also courses for people in specific age groups. The more a course is adapted to your physical condition, your goals and your preferences, the more motivated you will be to get there and exercise to your full potential.

top

Break from your routine

A good way to remain motivated is to make some changes from time to time. Though it may be important to incorporate physical activity in your schedule, the way you regularly brush your teeth or eat healthy at more or less regular hours every day, there are, in my opinion, at least two good reasons to break from the routine that we have developed during our visits to the gym.

First and most obvious is to change just for the sake of change! In other words, to break the eventual monotony and, consequently, to prevent our motivation from wearing thin. I therefore suggest the adoption of three-month cycles. At each cycle, try to change either your routine on the apparatus, or your favourite group classes. Try a new activity each time you switch to a different period.

The second important reason for changing the activities – especially the exercise movements – that we repeat frequently is to avoid injuries. In fact, a U.S. study has shown that strongly repeated movements can cause wear-out injuries, in addition to harming our mental health. According to this study, people aged 65 or over who practice at least four types of different physical activities a week are less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease than people who practice only one, or none at all.

top

Organizing your workout gear

"Much of the stress that people feel doesn't come from having too much to do. It comes from not finishing what they've started"

- David Allen, Productivity Expert

When you are well organized, you are always more motivated. Here are some tips that can help you keep the right momentum and energy:

The gym bag:

• It should follow you everywhere – keep it in your vehicle
• Keep it always ready – when you do the laundry, fill the bag with clean clothes for the week. For instance, if you go to the gym three times a week, make sure you include clothing changes for your three visits, i.e. three pairs of socks, underwear, t-shirts, exercise towels, shower towels. You can use a plastic bag to bring home your used clothes and towels
• Security is paramount – do not forget your padlock – it would be a very poor excuse to miss a session because you don't have that important item with you.
• And who are you? – also always keep your membership card in a pocket in your bag. This is particularly practical when you visit other centers of the network.
• To keep your eye on the ball – keep your current objectives at hand, including the visual elements that motivate you (a photo of you when you were the size you want to be again, etc.)
• I'm thirsty – many people take a 500ml water bottle with them. That's an excellent idea.

Organizing your gear is crucial. Being well prepared is another way to avoid excuses. Stay motivated!

top

Commitment

You often hear people saying how they would like to be more active, to go the gym and so on. But there's a big difference between wishing for something and deciding to do it. Unfortunately, just wanting it to happen is not enough. You have to make a clear and firm decision and then take action. There's nothing like making a commitment to someone – a person who is dear to you or whom you admire – to make sure you stick to it. These people can include your role models and mentors. The best way is to put it in writing. Here's an example:

Dear Friend:
I have hereby chosen to share with you my commitment to losing weight and increasing my fitness level. My objective is to work out three times a week for at least the next three months, starting December 15, 2005. Through this commitment, I will improve my health and feel better in my skin. Each week I will let you know by email my official weight and the number of workout sessions I did. I am happy that you will be part of my new way of thinking and to share with you the challenge I have set myself.
Marc André

Keep this pledge in a clearly visible place, to remind you of your commitment. Good luck!

Based on an excerpt from the book "De l'Énergie à Vie ! Trouver et garder la motivation au gym", available in all the Énergie Cardio centres in Québec.

top

When should you go to the gym? (Part 3)

Here is the last of three articles on choosing the best time of the week to work out. We have discussed the importance of scheduling a specific block of time for your workouts and of respecting your individual energy cycle. To increase your chances of persevering, you must pay attention to certain aspects of human nature.

Before coming home
That's right! You know what I'm talking about – that moment when, despite your resolutions, your decision and your good intentions, your commitment wilts. You're in your car and you're tired, but you still want to go work out. Hesitation and doubt start taking over. "I should, but…" All the reasons for not going are running through your mind – plus all the reasons for going – until you hit the last stop sign near home. It's too late, you're so tired – and so forth. It's like a form of negative energy taking over you and sucking you in. Don't get caught in the trap! As much as possible, go to the gym before heading home, especially if you have kids.

When your body needs it!
Another good time to choose to go the gym – in addition to the regularly scheduled sessions – is when you really feel like you want or need to go. Deciding to respond to this positive temptation will make your body and mind more able to communicate when they need a workout to feel better – which will boost both your pleasure with the process and your motivation.

top

When should you go to the gym? (Part 2)

Here is the second of three articles on choosing the time of the week to go for your workout. After discussing the importance of dedicating a specific block of time on your calendar, now is the time to talk about adapting your schedule to your personal energy cycle, thereby increasing your chances of persevering.

Adapt to your own biorythms – Some people find it easier to motivate themselves to get to the gym before going to work. This is the case for Julie, a friend of mine, who is co-owner and head of a major business. She is also the mother of three school-age children. She takes this time before work to first empty her mind and fill up with energy. This is also when ideas bubble up while her mind prepares for the day ahead of her. But at the end of the day, she is too tired to go to the gym. As for myself, I simply cannot lift weights when I get up in the morning. I can do some cardio training early in the day, but everything else comes at the end of the day. My body wakes up more slowly, and, surprisingly, I have more energy at 8 P.M. than I do at 4 P.M. Each person needs to know his/her own energy cycle throughout any given day. Respecting this aspect of your nature will make it easier to become and stay motivated, and to make working out a regular part of your lifestyle.

top

When should you go to the gym? (Part 1)

This is the million dollar question! Several enthusiasts are still trying to figure out when is the best time to go to the gym. There are as many answers as there are individuals. The next three articles will therefore be devoted to the important factors to consider when determining the best time for you to maintain your habit.

Block off some time – The best starting point in developing a habit is to block some time in your schedule. If you have chosen to train three times a week, determine beforehand at which time during the week – every week – you will be going to the gym. For example, write down in your agenda that Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., are reserved for your training sessions. It is not rare to make sacrifices for a dentist appointment or car maintenance. So why not make an appointment with your well-being? If someone asks you if you are available for another activity, you could answer that, unfortunately, you have an appointment. And if you miss one of your "appointments" at the gym for an event that is out of your control, you immediately carry it forward at another time during the week when you can devote this time to your health. So, write down right away in your agenda your visits to the gym, even if you've always been going at the same time and on the same days of the week for several years now. There is a personal satisfaction that is not to be scoffed at in being able to strike off from your agenda what has been accomplished, including an activity such as going to the gym.

top

Setting objectives

Staying motivated implies that you are aiming for a goal – otherwise your efforts are for naught. Here are some tips to help you reach your objectives with greater ease:

1. Write down your objectives. No one every accomplished anything big by simply keeping it in their head.
2. These objectives must be your own. That means if your spouse or a family member is imposing the goals, your motivation will not last long. The motivation must come from inside.
3. Write your objectives in the present tense, as if they were already accomplished. For example, instead of writing and saying "I want to go to the gym three times a week," write "I go to the gym three times a week."
4. Be sure your statement has a verb. Don't just write "stomach" to mean you want to lose weight and firm up your abdominals. Write "I have a flat stomach" instead.
5. Use the "I" in all your statements of goals and objectives.
6. If possible, try to associate a feeling with realizing your objective. For example, "I am really proud to workout three times a week."
7. Allow yourself a specific amount of time to achieve your objective. Be realistic and, if your goal lends itself to it, set some dates allowing you to break down the attainment of your objective in stages.
8. Keep your timetable clearly visible, as a reminder of your commitment.

We wish you success!

top

Respect your limits

Being motivated is a good thing, but nothing is more frustrating than having to stop everything because of an injury that could have been prevented. Knowing and respecting your limits and physical capacity is another important aspect of staying motivated.

Before starting a fitness program, I recommend that you consult your doctor and qualified professionals to obtain an exercise regimen that respects your current physical capacity. It's no use skipping phases hoping to achieve your goals faster and risking having to stop your fitness program all together. This would only cause an unnecessary set-back in your process of achieving well-being and getting in shape.

It is also important to listen to your body and know how to read the signals it sends. Is the signal an attempt by our mind to sabotage our efforts and to send us back to our old and bad habits, or is it really an alarm our body is sending us to prevent an injury? Only you can judge that. If you have first sought the advice of your doctor and of physical fitness professionals, you will be better able to recognize correctly what lies at the root of these signs.

Know your limits and have them re-assessed regularly. This way you will reach your goals safely and be more motivated!

top

Going to the gym accompanied or not

Going to the gym alone or accompanied by a friend is first and foremost, a personal matter. However, from a motivational point of view, is one option preferable to the other? The answer is yes. In fact, for people who have tried working out both ways, there is no question. We are always more consistent, disciplined and motivated if we can share our commitment, our feelings and our progress. There is also the pleasure of the inevitable personal exchanges during the session. In fact, the key is to become obligated to a person other than ourselves. That person must be someone we respect and admire.

In addition, I always found myself working out with people who were more advanced than I. This made me push myself to try to catch up with them. But that is a personal choice.

Therefore, I recommend that you work out with someone. If that is not possible right now, you will meet other members who may become your workout partners. This question does not apply to members who participate in group courses. There are already many of you to encourage each other, not to mention the instructor who also acts as a motivator.

top