We found 26 results tagged with "motivation"
2 Articles
2 Articles found
The Pleasure Principle: Sticking with a Healthy Lifestyle
Finding the right exercise and foods for your body makes you feel great, which is the best motivation of all.
Workweek Fitness Ideas
Even on an nine-to-five work schedule, there are plenty of ways to add exercise to your day.
24 Challenges
24 Challenges found
Challenge
Experience a "runner's high"
We’ve all heard of the phenomenon, but how do we know if we’ve reached this apparently blissful state? First, everyone is different. What does it take to actually achieve a “runner’s high,” and what happens physiologically to your body when you do? Scientists in...
Challenge
Do it with pride
What role does body confidence play in fitness? An uncredited but powerful cameo, it seems. Confidence affects how we carry ourselves, whether we wear a baggy shirt or a form-fitting one, and our tendency to plant ourselves in the front (motivating) or back (hard to see the instructor) of the class...
Challenge
Make weight wait
Choosing fitness activities that focus on goals other than weight loss have the ulterior benefit of motivating and energizing us without constantly reminding us how close—or far—we are from our goals. Mastering a skill like rowing, for instance, shifts the mind to the task at hand, a great way to...
Challenge
Be an “after”
Ever thought of being the subject of a “before and after” fitness feature? Though initially intimidating, spotlighting your accomplishments publicly can inspire many people. Today, challenge yourself to consider sharing your before-and-after pics with your friends and family. Or, if you’re at the...
Challenge
Exercise self-love
One obstacle to exercise is the pervasive feeling that you’re too unfit, overweight, or unattractive to get out there and move. Our response? You’re great however you are because you’re you. Mantras, meditation, non-food-based reward systems, and other methods of thought modification can help you...
Challenge
Think small
Often, we’re so busy aiming high – and big – that we forget how motivating it can be to set smaller, more realistic goals. Instead of cycling for an hour, try 15 minutes. Or, climb one set of stairs instead of three. Setting more doable goals not only increases chances of success, it is more likely...
Challenge
Write a stretch cheat-sheet
For many people, winter means cold weather when outdoor exercise is simply out of the question. Stay in touch with your body by creating – and following – a home stretching routine that keeps you limber and relaxed. Today, challenge yourself to write down 5-10 of your favorite stretches to do every...
Challenge
Make fitness a to-do
How often does exercise rate your daily to-dos? Is it just something you hope to fit in after you’ve accomplished everything else? Today, start by challenging yourself to keep to your regular standards – or raise them – by adding your exercise goal to your written to-do list every single day...
Challenge
Set a weekly goal
What’s in a week? The difference between a daily routine and extra motivation.
Today, challenge yourself to write down a goal (e.g. running for 5 more minutes, losing a pound, getting to the gym 3 times) and make a plan for the next seven days for getting there.
_Always consult a physician...
Challenge
Set a monthly goal
Feel like you’ve hit a plateau fitness-wise? Today, challenge yourself to move beyond it. Here are some ideas for making it happen:
• Decide where you want to be a month from now.
• Working back from you goal, break your mission down into weekly and daily steps.
• Add those steps to your...
Challenge
Light a fire: inspire
When was the last time you inspired others to make positive changes? Sometimes, it’s motivation, pure and simple, that matters. And, often, that motivation comes from outside sources. Whether it’s volunteering, leading a support group, community organizing, writing an article for publication or...
Challenge
Workout your rump
It’s tempting to focus on individual body parts and want to work them out to improve them. Unfortunately, science doesn’t support the idea of spot toning. However, there are exercises that make you more conscious of your posture and musculature. And this, in turn, can improve your appearance...
Challenge
Change up crunch time
Even the best-conceived abdominal workouts get old. When was the last time you did something new during tummy time? Adding variety or intensity to your routine can not only help you stick to it, but also enhance your results. Today, challenge yourself to push your ab workout to another level by:
•...
Challenge
Replenish and recharge yourself
Are you committed to whole living, but occasionally find your devotion flagging? Not to worry: Living up to your ideals takes practice – and, sometimes, even more than that. If your daily habits are sliding away from your goals, today challenge yourself to living yours best life by trying one of...
Challenge
Fit in friendship
Meeting a friend? Instead of the standard restaurant-and-a-movie, how about meeting outdoors? From there, you can take a walk or a hike, or go for a bike ride. If you pack a healthful lunch, you can end the day with a healthy picnic. Next time you socialize, challenge yourself to fit in fitness...
Challenge
Write a nutrition manifesto
What do you want to commit to nutrition-wise? Do you often say to yourself "I should eat more fruits and veggies" and then find it difficult to follow-through? Sometimes writing down your goals is all it takes to make them a reality. Today, write out your eating goals and post them some place where...
Challenge
Measure your middle
Excess abdominal fat is commonly used as an indicator of less-than-optimal fitness. Today, challenge yourself to get out your measuring tape and take an honest look at your measurements. Then, write them down in a log. This is a great way of having quantitative evidence that your workouts are...
Challenge
Schedule exercise in your calendar
One way to make fitness a priority is to write it down in your calendar and treat it like an important appointment that you can’t miss. In the next 24 hours, block out some time for your favorite exercise routine one day during the next week. Make a commitment to keep your appointment. _Always...
Challenge
Learn your lesson
When you’re learning a new skill or game, exercise stops being a chore and becomes a pleasure. Pick an activity you’d like to get better at that will motivate you to move. Then challenge yourself to attend a class at your gym or sign-up at a local community center for group lessons. _Always consult...
Challenge
Avoid a workout rut
Adding variety to your regular workout routine is more important than you might think. New activities not only keep you interested and motivated, they also challenge your muscles work harder to adapt to new activities and motions. This, in turn, might even increase your metabolism.
Today, plan...
Challenge
Reward yourself for achieving fitness goals
Have you written down an exercise plan and worked toward your fitness goals? If so, you might want to plan out ways to reward yourself once you’ve met them. Lots of people find this practice incredibly satisfying…and motivating.
Today, write a list of things you’d like to reward yourself with...
Challenge
Keep an exercise diary
This is another wonderful idea for keeping yourself motivated toward achieving your fitness goals. And there are lots of different methods for doing it. You can use websites that are designed for this purpose (many are even free). Or you can opt to track your activities on a paper calendar...
Challenge
Find an exercise buddy
Many of us are a lot more motivated to exercise if we have someone to do it with. Whether we’re going to the gym, taking a class or going for an afternoon walk during work hours, when we’re accountable to someone else we’re a lot more likely to make a commitment and follow-through.
Today, think...
Challenge
Write out an exercise plan
Seeing your exercise goals written down can really keep you motivated. Do you want flatter abs? Or do you dream of being able to run a mile or two? Whatever your fitness goals, make a plan for achieving them. This could be as simple as committing to doing 30 sit-ups three times per week or running...