Sport is good for health… We know it. But when you haven’t been physically active for a long time, it’s very difficult to get motivated. Even the most athletic people know this «laziness» of going back to the gym after the holiday break.
So how do you get back into the sport? Here are some tips for the more unmotivated among you.
spend money
This first tip may seem strange at first glance, but it is easily explained. If you’ve spent money to join a gym or group sports class, you probably have that little voice in your head that says, «Come on, I have to go, I didn’t pay for anything!
You don’t always have to spend a fortune, this rule also applies to sports at home. For example, if you buy some dumbbells and a bench to do sports at home, it is enough to increase your motivation because you would not want to have bought this equipment for nothing. If you get lost in the material to buy, you will find a very complete selection on the muscle-up site to do your sport at home.
By the way, this point does not only apply to sports, it is true for almost everything!
Choose an easily accessible sport
Avoid allowing yourself to make excuses. “I don’t have time”, “it’s too far away”, “it’s raining”… If you know that you’re leaving with little motivation, make sports practice as easy as possible. If you register in a room, it must be close to your house, otherwise favor the sport at home.
Do not start with a sport that is too demanding, that you are not sure you will like… For example, if you start in boxing, you may not be able to take being hit on the head for a long time and it will be a demotivating factor. So he prefers simple sports that you already know: running, cycling, bodybuilding, soccer if you have already practiced it…
Know that you can exercise simply by changing your daily habits. Going to the office by bicycle instead of motorcycle is the best example, but there are many others. Walk! Most French people don’t even respect the recommended minimum of 30 minutes of walking a day.
Make a plan
Nothing worse than procrastinating in sports. It’s easy to tell yourself “I’ll do it tomorrow” and repeat it every day to ease your conscience. Set time slots (at least 2×1 hour) in your week dedicated to sport.
Choose the time that works best for you. Are you more of morning or afternoon? Can you find time at lunchtime? If it’s complicated, then there are the weekends! Establish a routine in your schedule. Monday and Thursday at 7 pm, it’s sport! And make this space a priority over daily hazards that could throw off your schedule.
play sports together
There’s nothing like a sports partner to motivate you. He’s going to make this sports meet mandatory, you’re not going to want to crash it! But also, practicing a physical activity for two is still much more fun. The effort seems to diminish and on the contrary, it makes you want to improve yourself compared to what you would have done alone. Training as a couple is transforming sport into pleasure!
Well… sometimes it’s impossible, so if you’re alone I recommend listening to uplifting music, or maybe a podcast.
Never get discouraged…
The results of a sports session are not immediately visible, keep that in mind. It usually takes a few months to see the first (small) physical changes related to the practice of an activity.
Whatever your motivations, sport (when practiced in good conditions) is an ally of choice to feel good in body and mind. Clearly, you will never waste your time doing a little bit of physical activity every week. Even if the changes are small from the ice, they are important for good health and maximizing your life expectancy.
