Struggling with motivation?

Staying motivated to your health and fitness goals can be a challenge, especially when life gets busy and stress levels are high. It's important to remember that no one is motivated 100% of the time, and that's okay. The key to success is having a realistic plan in place that allows you to still enjoy your day-to-day life without feeling overwhelmed and burning out.

If you have no plan in place and you're just hoping for the best - I wouldn't expect it to last very long!

One of the most effective ways to stay motivated is to set specific, measurable goals. Instead of simply saying, "I want to get in shape," break your goal down into smaller, more achievable steps. For example, you could aim to run a 5k in three months, or to lose 2kg by the end of the month. By setting specific goals, and having a realistic time-frame, you'll have something tangible to work towards, which can help keep you motivated.

It's also important to remember that progress takes time, and that setbacks are a natural part of the process. Instead of beating yourself up when things don't go as planned, use setbacks as an opportunity to learn and grow. Try to identify what went wrong, and use that information to adjust your plan moving forward.

Another key factor in staying motivated is finding activities that you enjoy. Exercise doesn't have to be a chore. If you hate running, don't force yourself to do it. Instead, try something that you actually enjoy doing, whether it's yoga, swimming, or resistance training in the gym. By finding an activity that you look forward to, you'll be much more likely to stick with it over the long term.

Nutrition can also be a tricky area. If you're trying to stick to a very restrictive, super "clean" diet, it will be difficult to adhere to for very long. You don't have to give up all of your favourite foods. Instead of going on a strict diet, try to make small, sustainable changes to your eating habits. For example, you could start by swapping out sugary drinks for zero sugar options, or adding more protein, fruit and vegetables to your meals.

I always recommend my clients follow a 80%, 20% approach to nutrition - 80% of your diet coming from nutrient-dense whole foods, 20% coming from "soul foods" - foods that may not be as nutrient dense but that you genuinely enjoy, like chocolate! By making small changes over time, you'll be more likely to stick with them and see lasting results.

To circle back around, no one is motivated 100% of the time and that's OK. Creating realistic habits and repeating these habits, day in, day out, is what will help you to keep going and see tangible progress!