Motivation to Exercise

This whole “exercise thing” can be so annoying. From finding the time to finding the motivation, exercise – can be a real bitch.

We both know it’s good for us, so why is it so difficult to stay on top of?

Well, I think there are 3 main problems.

Problem #1 - It’s painful.

We’re genetically wired to try and achieve pleasure whilst avoiding pain. We create a “pleasure hierarchy” for ourselves, putting the most important things first and everything else, well, who cares.

After all, which would give you more pleasure?

Staying in your warm bed on a cold winters morning or doing burpees at 6am?

So how do we overcome this?

Solution - Set goals.

Create an inspiring vision that allows you to rise above “the workout” and able to see the bigger, better, picture. A better you.

Create a goal/vision that’s more pleasurable/important than the short-term pain of a workout.

Then it will move up on your hierarchy and those “wants” and “needs” will become “musts” - surrounded by a clear absence of excuses.

Problem #2 – We want instant gratification

Not seeing results in one week? Guess it must be time to give up, right?

Wrong.

Good things take time; better things even longer. So why can’t wait [or work] for anything anymore?

“Instant gratification”

We now live in an age where we seem to think that just because we can get our Lululemon tights delivered to our door the same day we ordered them that the results should come soon as soon as we put them on.

No offence, but you’re not Superman or Wonder Woman -- it just doesn’t work that way.

Solution – Embrace delayed gratification [and have goals]

Stop thinking in days and weeks and start thinking in months and years.

Health is a journey, not a destination. Strive for small, consistent daily efforts, as they will snowball into dramatically positive outcomes for your health.

When you can make this change in your mindset from seeing it only as a body transformation, to a total health transformation, you’re finally winning the game.

Problem 3 - We make it too hard for ourselves.

We love extremism.

Chasing diets and exercise fads with an all-or-nothing approach that only leaves us with one thing – nothing.

If doing something is good, more must be better, right? Nope.

We’re so time poor that the idea that you’re going to have the time to complete a program that requires you to train twice a day, everyday, for the rest of your life, is ridiculous.

That’s unless you’re a superhero? Are you a badass caped crusader? Oh that’s right, you’re not; you’re only human – just like the rest of us.

Solution – Simplify [and embrace delayed gratification, oh, and goals]

 I hate when people tell me they don’t have enough time to exercise.

 Because it’s never a matter of time, it’s just a matter of priorities. If you really wanted more, you’d do more.

 So I suggest you simplify things.

 Create a bare minimum training commitment - make it achievable but non-negotiable. You HAVE to do those sessions.

 Then, anything over and above those session are just a bonus and a good way to feel better about your life.