It's Time to Rethink our Motivators, and Get Moving!
5 Easy Ways to Identify Your Unique Motivators, Get Moving and Stay on Track!
When it comes to motivation, one size definitely does not fit all. Some people are motivated by setting external goals and measuring regular progress, some are motivated by social connection and support, and others by competition and reward. Use the guide below to identify your motivation type and match it with tips to get you moving and keep you on track!
The social connector: Do you thrive through social connections and prefer to do activities with others?
Motivators:
Find a friend who wants to exercise with you and schedule a twice (or thrice!) weekly workout plan together. Put those 7am spin classes in your calendar and text each other to make sure no one backs out. You will get out of bed if you know your friend is waiting for you! Or better yet, drive together.
Join a charity running group that is raising funds for an event so you have a group to run with on a regular basis.
Make a plan with a co worker to walk at lunchtime 2-3 times a week. Bring your tennis shoes and get some fresh air instead of sitting in the lunchroom.
The novelty seeker: Do you get tired of being stuck in a routine and always want to check out the latest greatest thing going on?
Motivators:
Download a workout class app like Mindbody or Classpass and use it to check out two new classes a week in your area. Many gyms let you take the first class free or you can get a pass that will let you drop into lots of different places. Try boxing, barre, spin, bootcamp, zumba, or whatever strikes your fancy!
Buy a new workout top or some groovy sneakers to help you feel excited before you head out to explore.
Consider the pros and cons of the classes you check out and figure out which ones you’d like to try again. You can set up a schedule where you do two or three classes on a rotation so you don’t get sick of anything.
The competitor: Are you driven to win and want to be the best in any situation?
Motivators:
Find an exercise studio that is having a monthly challenge, e.g., number of miles run, pounds lost, etc and sign up to compete and try to win.
Get your most competitive friend to go head to head with you to see who can do the most steps or walk the most days in a row. Make a bet of a shared meal or special outing to sweeten the competition!
The numbers gal: Do you like tracking progress by recording numbers, crunching the data and setting concrete goals?
Motivators:
Set a daily step goal and record it in a journal or share online. Each week you hit your goal, give yourself a star or other visual recognition of your effort.
Determine the number of weeks you want to stick with your goal and give yourself a reward when you get there.
Use all the casual walking - eg, park far away from the store, go an extra time around the block- to meet or exceed your goals!
The planner: Do you love to have everything scheduled ahead of time, mapping out your day, week and month?
Motivators:
Buy a big wall calendar or if you like your planning portable, use a calendar app to schedule your workouts for each week on Sunday.
Put the exact time and type of exercise you are going to do each day and have your phone send you a reminder when it’s time to go.
Share your calendar with a friend to see if you can do it together!
