How to Find the Motivation To Exercise
Is it impossible for you to maintain a regular exercise habit?
Do you wish you had more motivation to exercise?
Most people do, and I really understand that. The human body is a deep and mysterious place and our general education on the topic is…minimal. Just ask any guy how women pee with a tampon in and you’ll see what I’m talking about.
Here’s a personal trainer secret that’s not so secret: It feels impossible to maintain a regular exercise habit because you don't have a good reason to maintain a regular exercise habit. Without understanding WHY your body needs exercise, you’ll never feel motivated to do it.
It's similar to learning a language. For example, if we decide we all need to speak Polish for our health (and as a Polish person I do not recommend this), you could learn vocabulary all day and you'd still instantly forget it the next. There's no point to randomly memorizing words like "Bezwzględny" unless you're also learning the syntax, grammar, and how all the words relate to each other. Without the final goal of creating understanding, learning words alone is largely pointless. Would all effectively to you never with be anyone communicate at able.
It's the same with your body. You can learn random body vocabulary (lat pulldowns, squats, or running) all you want. But if you don't know WHY you're learning it, if you can’t put them into a complete sentence for your body to understand, you'll just forget them again the instant you leave.
You need to learn the language of your body, not just the vocabulary.
The vocabulary might be cardio, which is difficult, boring, and tough to push yourself through effectively. But the complete sentence is that cardio is strongly associated with relieving depression because of its positive effect on dopamine, serotonin, and noradrenaline production. When you realize that doing cardio eases your depressive symptoms, suddenly you have a powerful motivation to do it again.
The vocabulary might be strength training, which is repetitious, uncomfortable, and mentally challenging. But the complete sentence is that strength training boosts self-esteem, self-worth, and perception of inner strength. Because when you feel stronger, you become stronger, and not just in the gym.
The vocabulary might be taking walks, which is time-consuming and might not feel like “real” exercise. But the complete sentence is that nearly any type of exercise is believed to improve sleep, starting with the very same night you worked out. Building one healthy habit by participating in another healthy habit is the strongest feedback loop that could exist. Feed two birds with one scone, as they say.
And the vocabulary might be group exercise classes, where you’re just going because you’re more willing to show up for someone else than for yourself. But the complete sentence is that participating in team sports and activities fulfills our need to be part of the group, resulting in a better social life. It’s not hard to go to an exercise class when you know it’s gonna be full of your friends.
Exercise isn't just flapping your limbs around for an hour.
It serves a deeper purpose. Just like eating a healthy diet, it’s a way of communicating with your body, listening to the requests it’s making, and being able to give it what it needs.
Less pain? Mobility training.
More energy? Cardio.
Confidence? Strength training.
A calmer mind? Walking.
More socializing? Group fitness.
And if you don’t know where to begin or how you want to feel, that’s what I’m here for.
So if you’re struggling to exercise regularly, think about how you want to feel and then link the sentences together to get there. And if you need help, you know how to reach me ❤️
