Wednesday, February 10, 2016

What Keeps You Motivated?

As a fitness professional I see people lose their motivation for health and fitness quite a bit.  I also see people who never seem to lose their motivation!  I decided to ask some friends what they do to keep themselves focused on their fitness and I wanted to share that with you because it might just help someone out there who's struggling a bit ;)

Here's what Anne had to say:

'I started running about 11 or 12 years ago with the motivation to lose 30 pounds in 3 months. I had a trip to Mexico planned with one of my friends, and we were going to rock out bikini bodies! I had great success with this. I lost 33 pounds in 3 months and felt amazing. My motivation at that point was all the feedback I was getting from my friends. They all kept telling me how inspirational I was.

This went on for a couple years until I injured. I was only running 10km distances at the time. I fell in and out of running until about 6-7 years ago. I was going through a messy divorce and remembered how good running was for my mental and emotional state, as well as the benefits to my body. I always felt so amazing during and after a run, so I started training for a 10km event. 

I fell in love all over again. People were once again telling me how inspirational I was to them. I set many people up with training plans and ran a few C25K running sessions. During those times I was training for a half marathon. I ran a few in that year. It was my friends and followers that kept me going when I felt down and ready to quit. I didn't want to let them down. 

Running at that point almost became an addiction. The pure rush of crossing that finish line is indescribable. I saw many people come and go with running. Of all the people that came to me for help very few of them ever followed through. They soon realized how hard it can be without seeing the rewards quickly. So, I started using the glory of crossing a finish line as motivation for them.

Being able to set a goal on paper, follow a training plan, and cross that line all on their own seemed to work. But, even at that people dwindled off. 
 
I am now an ultra runner. I ran my first 50km ultra mountain race this past August even after breaking my ankle last January. I still thrive on the inspiration given to me from others that "wish" they could do the things I do. 

 
My running hasn't been an easy road. I have had many injuries and many set backs, but like many addictions I just can't stay away. 

 
If I can say anything about keeping people motivated it would be to some how show them rewards and how inspirational they can be to others. It's almost like dangling a prize at the end!
People need to really want it in order to succeed.' 



Thanks Anne!!  Comment below on what reward would motivate you to keep active :)