Did you know that we should all be doing at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week? Broken down between 5 days, that’s 30 minutes a day of heart pumping activity just to stay relatively healthy. Exercise is a struggle for so many people, and as if we can’t tell by looking at Americans in general, research backs that statement up. Whether it’s a {perceived} lack of time, energy or motivation preventing the activity from occurring, the CDC cites less than half of all American adults actually meet the minimum activity goals.

Making lifestyle changes to become more physically active is challenging. It takes hard work and dedication, and it’s really easy to get lost or discouraged in the process. I believe there are several strategies to fostering that fitness motivation that may make it a little easier to establish and sustain.

Motivation Strategies

1. Find an activity you enjoy doing. {Or at the very least, something you don’t dread.}
2. Create accountability for yourself. Whether it’s a friend to work out with or a social media post in a fitness challenge, find that accountability partner of sorts.
3. Believe in yourself and the power of positive thinking. And don’t fall into the trap that it’s all genetics or that you can never achieve {insert whatever your ultimate goal is here.}. You can do it!
4. Find something about yourself that you love and focus on it.
5. Create awesome playlists that get your energy up!
6. Measure results in ways other than the scale – and understand that it is a process. Slow and steady typically wins the race.
7. Reward yourself!

For the sake of time, I’m going to focus this post on rewarding yourself because I believe this is a very powerful tool. As Charles Duhigg, author of The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business said,

“An extrinsic reward is so powerful because your brain can latch on to it and make the link that the behavior is worthwhile.”

In his book, he discusses a habit loop. This loop includes a trigger, a routine and a reward. For example, a cue to trigger a behavior is prepping your workout gear before a run or setting your shoes out in advance. The routine is then going for a run and the reward is what you do to acknowledge the accomplishment {new running tank perhaps?}. This loop increases the odds the routine becomes a habit.

It’s very common for individuals to want to reward themselves with food or a sweet treat, but that may not be the best option for someone who is working on creating healthy habits (for a variety of reasons). While there are plenty of reward options that could be discussed, I want to share one that I enjoy: I love to reward myself with new workout gear! It’s actually motivating in itself. When you look good, you feel great and in turn you work harder. {I’ve mentioned that before here.} Just try rewarding or encouraging yourself with a new fitness outfit and see if it adds a little pep in your step.

My latest find is Fabletics. Fabletics has an amazing, trendy selection of beautiful, quality athletic and athleisure wear at affordable prices. While I wholeheartedly believe in quality, I’m also a price shopper, so when I received my first outfit for an introductory discount of 70% off, I just couldn’t pass Kate Hudson up on her offer. Of course I ended up with all black, because let’s face it, that’s who I am, but I am excited for my next arrival – bold color and pattern! I’m a VIP member now which means I earn rewards points for the purchases I make and have the luxury of new selections emailed to me once a month for reviewing purposes. I can simply make a purchase or decline. No obligations to buy! It’s just like a personal shopper delivers options to my inbox. {How fancy! ?} So, let’s say I didn’t meet my goal for the timeframe I set for myself…I decline, no reward for me! {Or maybe I switched up my reward to treat myself to a facial instead ?}

Quick review of the outfit in detail that I am showcasing here. The specific 3-piece set is called the Asmara.

(1) Femina tank in black – LOVE the open back and style of this piece. It’s a light cotton weight and good quality. It stood up to washing and drying very nicely. I’m 5’6 on a relatively thin frame and I wear an XS here. It does fit well, but I tend to like my shirts longer, so I may opt to order a size up in loose shirts next time around.

(2) Salar capri in black – These are definitely maximum compression and I love that about them. They are midrise, right under my waistline and I also appreciate that for keeping me comfortable and covered during my runs or yoga sessions. I tend to appreciate higher waistlines after having two babies ? I also have an XS in this and they fit snug.

 

(3) Lyra Bra Ombre Jacquard – I’ve received so many compliments on this. I love the style of the back, but let me tell you, for this nursing mama, the support is just not there. I can absolutely wear this for yoga or around the house, but not for running. Super cute and worth the order if you don’t need maximum support.

 

I believe keeping yourself engaged and motivated is a key component in living a healthy lifestyle. Over time, the motivation you develop for fitness becomes fundamental, as if it was always there. Our brains are magnificent tools that can turn that hard work, those sore muscles and lots of sweat into feel-good chemicals called endorphins. If you push yourself and master the habit loop, you’ll feel that endorphin rush and it feels oh-so-good! At that point, you have trained your own thoughts to realize that the workout itself is now the reward and you won’t even need the treat.

If you decide to try Fabletics, I kindly ask that you use my links here. You’ll get your first outfit for $25 and free shipping! Plus, Kate will know I sent you then! ☺️ Be sure to tag me in your Fabletics photos or share them with me directly so I can love on your selections and maybe add them to my cart too!

Have a great day, beauties!

XO

PS. The lovely photos are by the ultra-talented RJ Imagery. She made me feel like a rockstar! ❤️

For more on my fitness story, check out these posts:

• Running Goals
• Let it Go, Let it Go
• Inhale Reflect, Exhale Release

 

Are you a Wild-Heart? ? Be sure to not miss more by signing up via email below.

 

Disclosure: This post does contain affiliate links through which I make a small profit should you choose to click and purchase. It helps keep my blogging hobby and passion alive. Thank you!