Beginner motivation

[Mitchell_Kid]

I just signed up and I need to motivate myself to actually use these routines. How did you all first motivate yourselves so I can find that same thing in myself?

 

[Fremen]

A 30-day program or challenge is a good way to start. You have an easy, progressive plan to follow and you don't have to think about anything. Making things easy is a good way to actually do them.

Programs

Large range of field-tested free workout programs that make fitness accessible and fun. More added every month.

darebee.com

Challenges

Largest collection of free monthly fitness challenges in the world designed to help you feel stronger and be healthier on your terms.

darebee.com

 

[JohnStrong]

I considered starting as small as possible, particularly since I didn't want to start over ever again, nor injure myself. Today I continue to balance what I want, with what I'm willing to do — because ordering myself around is exactly what kept me from exercising sustainably and developing a healthy habit.

What also doesn't motivate me is paying attention to physical results. I don't get to decide how I look nor when or if I'll ever look a certain way. All I have control over is showing up. And showing up is half the battle, at least.

 

[Sólveig]

Making things easy is a good way to actually do them.

And also making them fun.

 

[Fanta]

Do the most difficult or lengthy exercises before I go to work. So I don't have the "burden" of them when I come back home. Else my mind starts thinking about the excuses to skip them!

 

[AquaMarie]

Rewards! When I first started Darebee, I did daily rewards (something small and cheap and fun - shiny foil stickers on the calendar, for example) for each workout and a big reward (something more expensive or that I'd been wanting for a while) for finishing the entire program or challenge. I don't really use the daily rewards anymore, but I do still give myself a big reward when I finish.

 

[NightWolf714]

I definitely echo all of the above! A few other things that helped along the way are:

1.) Mainly I wanted it to be as fun as possible. I found out about this site looking up story or role-play based workouts. So I ended up doing the easiest RPG fitness program as one of my first ones. Zero Hero is a 2 out of 5 bar. The storyline (particularly in this one since it's kinda out there) kept me motivated because I wanted to see what happens next. So find out what would make it fun for you. Maybe it's the RPG fitness programs (especially the harder ones that have choices and such). Maybe it's doing 30 day challenges because tackling challenges is fun. Or maybe you want to take a look at the Plans so you can envision yourself as an assassin or gladiator or guardian/superhero to make things more fun. Because imagination and play can definitely be motivating. (And let's be honest, as adults we don't do enough of that in our lives.)

2.) Figure out a good "why." The stronger the better. Why are you wanting to work out? It can be as serious or silly as you want it so long as you are attached to it. For some, they've had health issues that snap them into making changes. Some people have kids and they want to work out for their sake. Sitting down with some introspection on this can help. For me, my strongest "why" was my nephew. I loved picking him up and spinning him around when he was little. He's now a teenager and that's a lot harder to do. But we both enjoy it so I want to be able to keep doing it. Maybe when he's a grown man, I can imagine people's faces as I grab him and spin him, haha.

3.) Start a log. I have one on here, but it doesn't have to be a public one. But I hate the idea of saying "skipped exercising" too many times on there. All the more because, since mine is on the forums, I have to admit it to others. ^_^;;; I've also just recently started a streak counter for working out in a row. After working out today, I'll be able to grab the 15-day streak badge for my profile. That has DEFINITELY been motivated on a few days where I didn't want to do anything, haha. But it can also help on days where you're in a funk. You can look back and see the growth you've made. As a personal example, I got demotivated when I thought I was at the point of doing push-ups and turns out I'm only a knee-pushups. But looking back, I remembered how I couldn't even do those so I ended up remotivating myself again.

 

[PrairieDawn]

I just signed up and I need to motivate myself to actually use these routines. How did you all first motivate yourselves so I can find that same thing in myself?

I have two online friends who are keeping me accountable. We have a Discord chat where we post when we have completed our workout for the day. Granted, we are all middle aged ladies trying to maintain basic fitness, so we can lift pots of spaghetti, walk around museums, and clean house without getting tired and sore, but still, the companionship helps.

 

[Cathulhu]

I started low so i get used to it without overexerting myself. Started with the Foundation program as that felt like a good start (i was right!). Now i'm doing 90 Days of Action as i finished the whole 30 days of the Foundation program.

The motivation to do something was already strong as i really wanted to improve myself after many years of neglect. The main problem is keeping motivated and having success is one thing that keeps me motivated.

In my case, i like numbers, verifiable facts.
So i monitor stuff like weight, but also body measurements and got a smart scale (Withings Body Smart) which uses Bio-electric Impedance Analysis so i can also see how much fat or muscles my body has.

As all monitored values are improving, i am happy and motivated to keep doing it.

Additionally, i reward myself with something ... well not so healthy when i reach certain milestones, but try to keep it within my calorie budget. Need some short term, mid term and long term goals to work towards to.

Everyone has their own way of keeping motivated. You just need to find yours.

 

[zhang xyun]

I started low so i get used to it without overexerting myself. Started with the Foundation program as that felt like a good start (i was right!). Now i'm doing 90 Days of Action as i finished the whole 30 days of the Foundation program.

The motivation to do something was already strong as i really wanted to improve myself after many years of neglect. The main problem is keeping motivated and having success is one thing that keeps me motivated.

In my case, i like numbers, verifiable facts.
So i monitor stuff like weight, but also body measurements and got a smart scale (Withings Body Smart) which uses Bio-electric Impedance Analysis so i can also see how much fat or muscles my body has.

As all monitored values are improving, i am happy and motivated to keep doing it.

Additionally, i reward myself with something ... well not so healthy when i reach certain milestones, but try to keep it within my calorie budget. Need some short term, mid term and long term goals to work towards to.

Everyone has their own way of keeping motivated. You just need to find yours.

When you complete 90 days of training, has your body changed?

 

[Cathulhu]

Still doing 90 Days of Action, have done 15/90 days. But even just doing Foundation has made a measurable and visible difference to my body.

 

[Rooster]

I just signed up and I need to motivate myself to actually use these routines. How did you all first motivate yourselves so I can find that same thing in myself?

Your  reason for exercising has to be of greater worth to you than the  reason for not exercising. If its not, your mind has no reason to generate motivation.