I’m often asked how I manage to find the motivation to workout every day and the answer isn’t a simple one. I’ll explain that I’m not always motivated, that sometimes I just push through a workout–other times, I’ll cut my workout in half–and even other times, I just give myself a break and don’t workout. There’s no cookie cutter answer and my desire waxes and wanes for any number of reasons.
I suggest to people who ask to check in with themselves to get a sense of what’s going on and if it’s something other than physical pain that’s preventing them from engaging in some physical activity. This serves two purposes: first, there’s usually some external factor(s) influencing how we feel and working out could alleviate it/them–second, it serves to strengthen the mind-body connection and help us understand better our perception about experiences that influence our thoughts and attitudes.
There are two types of motivation: extrinsic and intrinsic.
Extrinsic motivation: people who are physically active because of some external factor (e.g., to lose weight, to be healthy, to make their spouse happy, to look good or to meet people) are are likely to experience feelings of tension, guilt, or pressure related to their participation. Intrinsic motivation: people who engage in exercise for the inherent pleasure and experience that comes from the engagement itself.
Most people, like myself, are a mixture of both; however, it’s important to take an honest assessment of what your health and wellness goals are and where your motivation lies in helping you meet them.
So what’s your motivation?
