What tips do you have to stay motivated in your workouts?

Question

People often think that it’s easy for me to stay in shape because I was a professional athlete. When I kept getting asked by the public and the press alike: "How can you still do it at your age?”, I realized my answer changed every time. There is no quick fix and I’m always looking for new ways to keep my routine interesting. I’d love to know what tips other people have to stay dedicated to their workouts over the long haul—for myself and for the next time I get asked that question!

Answer 1

Two different things, find good books on tape and transfer them to my mp3 player. I am ONLY allowed to listen to the story when I'm working out. If it's a good book, I want to work out just so I can get to the end of the book.

Another way, imagine you are going across europe, asia, the ocean, whatever. Each time you are out running, walking or biking, measure the distance you cover. When you get home, mark off that distance on your map. So if you are running across England, mark of 6 miles on the route you would take if you really were running across England. As you get close to the end of your route, the more motivated you will be to get to the end and do that extra mile or two.

Answer 2

I can barely say that I have the experience that someone my senior does so I cant really answer the question in the context of age, but I can attribute my source of motivation to the positive way I feel after a workout. I lived a relatively sedentary childhood, but a few years ago, at 19, I picked up tennis again because it was the one sport that I had any experience with. I was able to join a team at my school where we incorporated cardio and weight lifting into our training routine. I began practicing extra and working out on my days off because it made me feel better and improved my game. I found that my real motivation, apart from wanting to excel at my sport, was the way that I felt after physical activity. Whether I choose to go to the gym, get involved in a yoga or Pilate's class, go on a run, or jump on the court, I know that I will feel better afterward; positive reinforcement at its best. I have also learned that when I am in good spirits, or have that post-workout glow, the people that I encounter throughout my day will be impacted positively, and might possibly start and uncontrollable chain reaction of smiles.

Answer 3

It's an obsession, where the outcome is positive and healthy. Most people desire to be happy within themselves both on the inside and outside so your just living the dream. People would always be envious of someone who acts rather than considers.

Motivation is a funny thing, I think for me having a strict exercise regime helps to keep me in total check. I wear a polar watch and know where I need to be each day so I benchmark my last time against calories burnt from the previous week and always strive to better or aim higher.

I have two young kids 1 & 3 yrs, so the gym is a great time out for me from them. It's also great for them as they are stimulated there with heaps of activities and have made friends too.

For me it's also got benefits as I have made so many great friends there that understand where I'm at too. Many of my other friends feel that I'm crazy working out 1.5hrs 6 days a week and when I do bootcamp it increases to up to 10 sessions per week at 1.5hours each. Sure that's hard work as everything is high impact. But like I say, I had a really full on job before having kids and I have now fulfilled motherhood by having goals outside the corporate arena and inside the gym.

No, I am not obsessed as I do not totally worry about food. I can eat what I want to a degree even though everything is always healthy and freshly made. I don't shop at supermarkets mostly fruit and vegetable grocers, butchers & bakeries. I also understand that if I do happen to blow out during the week I can make up for it.....hey this is my lifestyle these days and I love it!

What motivates me overall, is knowing that I can keep up with my kids, my husband is really attracted to me still after 2 kids, I love waking up in the morning and being challenged even by the same weekly routine and knowing I want to always be better.

Answer 4

Wow! I'm so honored to get to answer a question by such a famous athlete!

Well, for me personally, it's having a goal to aim for. For example, I am getting married in 2008 and I have always wanted to get back to a size 4 and I can't see myself getting married on the beautiful beach in the Bahamas any other way.

I have several tips, however. Being a person who has always had to work at staying in shape, I have had to come from many angles myself. I am a professional hypnotist, and I have learned a great deal about how our minds work.

Some people are motivated by an "away from" meaning the thing they don't want to become; fat, can't move, etc. while others are motivated by a "moving toward" a goal for example.

I would take a look at the reasons why you want to work out and always have some kind of goal that you are working toward. Then visualize yourself just before bed each night for 5 minutes or so, to lull yourself off to sleep, getting up, and doing your workout routine and feeling good about yourself succeeding in your endeavor.

Writing it down is another great thing. Make yourself a list of positive affirmations that you read to yourself every day or even twice or three times a day.

It comes down to: Goal setting, visualization, positive thinking, repetition, and finally, not thinking about it, but just doing it.

Also, I like to challenge myself. I may say I only have to run for 20 minutes, but then I'll change my mind once I get going and try and go for my fastest or longest time ever.

Finally, of course there is my Exercise Power Hypnosis CD to help with all of the above.

Answer 5

Variety I really believe is key. I read your book cover to cover, and found tons of new workout ideas as well as healthy meal tips. While I do try my hardest to stick to a regular routine of tennis, gym, and swimming, I'll admit if the weather's lousy or if the kids are crabby or I'm just feeling blah, the drive just isn't there. So I change it up - I'll go for a walk instead. Nothing overly strenuous, but not sitting on my fanny either. And if it's pouring down rain or freezing cold or if I'm sick - then I read. Anything informative I can get my hands on. I try to cram some more knowledge into my head, which tends to elevate my mood, make what ails me not so horrible, and hopefully gives me the boost I need to dive back into my routine the next day! You're dead-on right - there's no quick fix - look for a PROCESS that's works for you.

And BTW - your book ROCKED - great read, very informative, and it inspired this 38 year old stay-at-home-dad to work even hard on himself - THANK YOU!!!

Answer 6

Hi Martina
In answer to your question I would say mix it up. Don't get trapped into a routine you can easily get bored with. If a friend spontaneously asks you if you fancy going out for a run, do it. If a hike in the hills is on offer, go. If it's pouring with rain outside then go do that extra workout in the gym.
I really respect the way you turned your fitness around and took hold of your own destiny, no more excuses! You were (and still are) a big inspiration to me, as I grew up and pride my own fitness levels, just having turned 40, as being very high.
I am still turned on by the buzz of exercising and new opportunities to execise materialise each day. So, my message is, mix it up and enjoy it, don't labour it.

Sue Rainbow x

Answer 7

2 things
1. The place I work out used the Fitlinxx computerized program so I can Gage myself against the others at the YMCA. When I first started I was able to lift 15k each workout. Because I concentrate on my legs I am now doing 165k each time. That puts me in the top 5. I like that
2. I have a bit of a problem with depression and after working out I feel GREAT and am in a good mood the rest of the day

Answer 8

I'm 56 and have been through numerous orthopedic surgeries, sports injuries and motorcycle wrecks, spinal surgery. Rehab is always to regain 100% of the body, and is easy. Trying to stay in the routine for health, and whatever competition I can muster up I revert to the old boxers motivation of the way you practice and workout is a habit you take into the ring....thusly bringing out intensity.....and when that isn't working I tell myself I'll be special if I go max.

Answer 9

When I am too tired to workout or I just don't feel like doing it I just change my clothes and either go to the free weights room or outside and start doing something.... I always tell myself "just go out there and do something", if I feel good after a few minutes I just get into my routine, if I am still tired I do something very light or just walk and take deep breaths.
My husband tells me that I should workout at that time, when I don't feel like doing it... He's right most of the times!

Or do something that you've never done before. Like dancing, or kick boxing, or.... something else!

Answer 10

I would say that to stay motivated, just focus on sometime that you lost to someone who rivals you in greatness. I know that when I lose at basketball, I practice and workout a ton to try to be able to carry my team to victory the next time. Especially for highly competitive people, this tactic works exceedingly well.

Answer 11

Well, I feel inspired by great athletes such as yourself and Denise Lewis who continue to look great and are still very fit and able to participate in many sports rather than be a lazy couch potato. Also motivated by seeing the many overweight people walking around generally eating some sort of rubbish at the same time, with at the moment very little clothing and all their fat hanging out. I never want to be like that!