What Does Your “Get Up and Go” Look Like?

June 11, 2018

Find your motivation

What motivates you to get out of bed every morning to go to school or work? Is it the fear of what will happen if you don’t go? Is it the consequences of not passing a test or not being able to pay the bills? Where does that internal motivation come from? What goals do you have that make you get out of bed every day and go to work or school or the gym? It is always a great idea to ask yourself these questions regularly. Are you doing everything you are capable of doing to succeed?

As a trainer, I often hear the excuse, “I just don’t enjoy working out,” or “I just don’t have the time right now.” From young athletes it’s, “I’m never going to be as good as those other players,” or “Our team isn’t good, so what’s the point?” All of these phrases shouldn’t be based on any circumstance other than your own internal motivation.

Let me ask you this. If you have to get up and go to work every day so you can pay the bills, what is the difference between that and having to get up, work out and eat healthy so you can live a long, healthy, (hopefully) disease-free life? To all my athletes out there, what is going to separate you from everyone else? So, the team as a whole isn’t great; or you don’t think you are as good as everyone else – that alone should fuel your internal motivation to be the absolute best you can be. Prove to yourself and others by pushing yourself.

You do not always have to come to the gym to get a workout in, but many times being in a positive environment surrounded by other people work hard, will motivate you. If you can’t get in the gym for one reason or another, do simple body weight squats, push-ups, planks, sit-to-stands, crunches – whatever you can to get those endorphins flowing.

To all the athletes out there I will tell you this. Don’t be that kid who develops early, but doesn’t work hard and eventually all of the other kids catch up to you. You already have an advantage. Now’s the time to put the pedal to the metal and give it all you have. I was never the greatest athlete. Let’s be real. I was a 5’8” volleyball player. I was told I was playing the wrong sport when I first started. My coaches didn’t require our team to work-out during the offseason. However, I took it upon myself to workout with the football team doing strength, speed and agility so I could improve at my sport. I was the one trying to catch up to athletes who developed early. I was a decent player but even if I never climbed to the level I wanted to, at least I know I worked as hard as I could. Take it upon yourself to get better. You are the only person you can truly count on this life. In the end, success comes down to yourself and your internal motivation.

If you want to lose weight and constantly complain about it but aren’t doing anything about it, ask yourself if you are doing as much as you can to meet your goal. If the answer is no, plan it out. Learn how to time manage better. Learn how to pre-plan better. None of us are perfect, but it’s the ones who work hard and show the most internal motivation that always come out on top. Everyone has a different story and a complicated/difficult life at times. It’s what you do during those times to rise above that separates us. Just keep moving and keep striving to be better.

If you are struggling with motivation, Innovative Health & Fitness is the place you need to be. Contact us for a free personal training consult. We’ll discuss your current activity level and recommend some ways to get and stay active.

(414) 529-9900, ext. 730 or fitness@myinnovativehealth.com

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