The Art of Motivation can be tough, but when we motivate with Jesus and not the world it can be powerful, teaches Pastor John Piper.
“Motivation is an art, and like any art it requires wisdom and skill. And like any art, it can be done poorly. Wise Christian motivation centers on joy, and it centers on joy because all Christian ministry has as its aim the increasing delight in God (2 Corinthians 1:23–24; Philippians 1:25; Romans 15:13). – Desiring God website
Motivation is a word we hear a lot in the fitness and wellness world. People either have a hard time getting motivated to start or they find themselves in the lul after several months and need to get re-motivated. At its core, it’s not motivation you need, but a commitment you need to make. A commitment to honor God with your body. Every day doesn’t have to be a personal record or max out day. Consistency is key. But….since you’ve asked, here’s a few tips in the art of motivation for fitness and wellness:
FiT-Motivation Tips
Pray.
Pray and ask God for motivation, to keep you focused and continuing on.
Worship.
Remember…. 19 “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” 1 Corinthians 16:19-20
Write down how you feel after every workout.
Write down how you feel after a workout every single time. So, when you’re low on motivation to wake up and go for a run or a workout, pull out the doc and read how great you felt after completing a five-miler.
Remember why you started.
Remember all those times you tried clothes on and they didn’t look good because of the extra weight, or the times you wanted to wear shorts and weren’t brave enough. It’s not about keeping the motivation, it’s about remembering why you started in the first place, and asking if you really want to start all over again because you couldn’t be bothered.
Change it up!
If you’re bored with the type of exercise you’re doing, change it up. You’re not bound to one type of exercise. If you’re typically doing group ex classes and you need to take a step away and just do long runs outside – do it! If you’re doing heavy metcons for a season and it’s a stop or change to bodybuilding pr power lifting for a while – do it! KEEP MOVING!
Make sure you’re in community.
Group fitness classes keep me motivated. I look forward to seeing the other participants and instructor. The energy of the group keeps me going in the moments that I want to quit. I feel like I’m accountable to keep at it for the full time. You never want to be the person who quits and leaves early. I do so much more than I would if I were working out on my own.
Always have 1-3 goals you’re going after.
Always have a mission. Always have a plan for crushing the mission.
Create Accountability.
Whether that’s an accountabilabuddy, a friend you meet up with to workout, join a group fitness class, have someone you are accountable to.
Surround yourself with motivation.
I hang up motivational pictures on my mirrors, like Kendall Jenner or just good sayings. I also have my goal weight written everywhere — car mirror, refrigerator, calendar, etc. — so it’s a constant reminder to work toward that number.
Follow a Program.
If you’re simply going to the gym without a plan with 6 week macrocycles and mini cycles or signed up for routine classes at a facility, you’ll never be fully fruitful.
Do it for the pictures.
Make a picture commitment online. 5 days a week of fitness pics. Teach your friends something new each day. Announce on SM that you’re doing so. It’ll light a bit of a fire under you.
Sign up for a fitness event.
Sign up for a 5K, half marathon, CrossFit event, Tough Mudder, Spartan Race – whatever. You won’t want to go to that even “untrained”. There’s a deadline in front of you. Hit it!
Create 1 on 1 or 3 on 1 workout discipleship dates.
Fitness is a great opportunity for discipleship. Get a few people set up to meet with. Set dates. Make fitness ministry. Be a great leader in more ways than one.
Track Your Success.
Track your workouts. Have benchmarks. Things for time, for weight, for rounds, etc. Things that are measurable so you have things to work on pushing yourself.
Healthy Competition.
Train with a team. Train with friends. People push people. Have a whiteboard of competition of some sort that you and others are pouring into. Whether that’s in the same facility or miles apart and online. Competition creates community, which creates accountability.
NEVER GIVE UP!
