It's so important to be honest with yourself and assess your motivation for exercising, getting fit, focussing on your nutrition etc. By understanding why you want to improve, you will increase focus and be able to dig deeper to achieve results. There is no right or wrong when it comes to motivation - it's all about what is right for YOU.
Common motivators include;
- Aesthetics - reducing fat/ increase muscle percentage - either for a big event coming up (wedding/summer holiday) or just in general - this is the one most people think of initially, but definitely not the most important!
- Health - reducing the risk of major illnesses / reduce ailments such as blood pressure and cholesterol problems/ reverse diabetes / reduce joint pain/ boost immune system
- Fitness - being able to run a 5K, running a marathon, being able to walk up the stairs without getting out of breath, being able to play with kids/grandchildren and keep up!
- Mental Health - improve confidence / increase resilience / keeping your mind strong / combat depression/ stimulate endorphins and feel-good vibes /enhance wellbeing
- Lifestyle - Wanting to increase energy and productivity / improve quality of sleep / making daily tasks easier by being stronger and able to cope/ improving digestion
- Community - wanting to join a fitness or group community / fostering friendships and relationships via shared exercise experience
- New Skills - wanting to learn new skills and techniques, e.g. being able to do a deadlift, completing a push up, running technique etc
- Role Model - being a role model - maybe to your kids to show them how important it is to stay fit and active / to friends / colleagues
- Nutrition - improving eating habits / wanting to fuel your body effectively - this goes hand in hand with exercising
- Pregnancy - promoting healthy pregnancy/ increasing fertility/ combat postpartum depression
- Mobility - improve joint mobility / reduce chronic pain / improve flexibility - all very important as we get older and want to maintain independence
These are just a few reasons or motivators that we come across but there are plenty more. Finding yours may just help you increase focus and achieve more.