With February upon us, New Year’s resolutions can begin to lose momentum, Enda McNulty, Motivational Coach and Performance Psychologist with the Aviva Get Fit Action Plan explains, “Remaining motivated to keep fit is one of the hardest things to do because it requires discipline and a positive mental attitude. However, by setting realistic goals and shorter milestones that bring you closer and closer to your goals, it should inspire you to gradually move away from old habits and embrace new healthier ones. Try to ensure your goals are long term and actually mean something to you. For instance, would you like to become an active role model for your kids? If so, stay focused on the end goal and you will bring about positive change in your own life.”
View Enda McNulty’s tips on how to stay motivated in this video:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kn_40T6sWns
Henry McKean, Newstalk Presenter and Reporter, who has already lost half a stone, is challenging his bad habits and replacing them with better ones as part of the Aviva Get Fit Action Plan, to make sure that he maintains a healthy lifestyle after the six week programme is over.
See Enda McNulty talk to Henry McKean about the importance of motivation:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_208UTcWOaQ
For further information about the Aviva Get Fit Action Plan visit www.avivahealth.ie or the dedicated Facebook page www.facebook.com/avivaireland.
Tips from Enda McNulty to help you stay motivated:
1. Strive to include variety in your fitness program. So mix up how you exercise and where you exercise.
2. Try to make your fitness sessions fun. Try to make it as much fun as possible so that you begin to associate fitness with fun.
3. Work out with a friend or training partner who will push you on and challenge you when you tire.
4. Start to chart your progress over a period of 90 days. And in particular write down little successes that you have had.
5. Start to imagine how fit and how healthy you want to be at the end of ninety days.
6. Set one small goal before you start each fitness session or workout. Perhaps this could be to walk a ten kilometer walk two minutes faster than last week, or to work very hard in a salsa dance class even when you are tired.
7. Keep a motivational journal and start to write down when you feel most motivated. You will notice that some trends begin to appear with regard to exercise, and perhaps even nutrition.
Finally if you are serious about achieving your fitness goals you will need to be aware of the four dimensional aspect to goal achievement in fitness:
1. You will need to significantly improve your nutrition. I spent last week in New York, I met many elite athletes. But the one who guy really impressed me was Padraig Moyles who is the lead dancer from Riverdance. The quality of his nutrition is immaculate. He practices this consistently. Padraig is an inspiration in terms of the importance of quality nutrition for achievement of fitness and performance goals.
2. You are going to have to work very hard at your fitness. There are no short cuts, there are no quick fixes. To get to that fitness beacon, you are going to have to work out 5-6 times a week for at least 90 days to see a significant difference.
3. Think of changing your psychology towards fitness. Start to change your thinking about wellness. Start to think positively about working out consistently, start to think positively about your fitness levels. Start to think positively.
4. Start to be aware that to change your physical fitness you will need to change your habits. To change your habits you will need to repeat them over and over again for…you guessed it, 90 days.
So if your New Year’s resolutions have long since been forgotten. Maybe it’s time to get serious about achieving your goals. Believe me, once you move towards your goal you will start to motivate yourself to stay the distance.