{"id":110023,"date":"2023-07-30T15:14:00","date_gmt":"2023-07-30T19:14:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=110023"},"modified":"2026-01-20T16:29:34","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T20:29:34","slug":"motivation-for-getting-fit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/motivation-for-getting-fit\/","title":{"rendered":"Finding Motivation for Getting Fit: Your Mindset Is Half the Battle"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Does your enthusiasm for nutrition and exercise tend to wane over time? How clear are you on your reasons for wanting to be healthy?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inconsistency equals zero. If you’re going to make any meaningful, lasting change<\/a>, you have to stick with it. When it comes to your fitness journey, your mindset is half the battle. Enthusiasm and willpower will help you keep the commitments you make to yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find motivation<\/a> for getting fit with the following tips from personal trainer Michael Matthews.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Get Motivated For Your Fitness Journey<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Transforming your health and physique takes commitment, and you must get in a good mindset first. Let\u2019s look at Matthews’s advice for finding motivation<\/a> for getting fit\u2014and for strengthening your willpower<\/a> so that you have something to lean on in those moments when your motivation wavers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Identify the Reasons for Your Fitness Journey<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To stay motivated<\/a> throughout your fitness journey, you must clarify the reasons you want to get stronger and healthier.<\/strong> Do you want to feel more confident or more energized? Do you want to enjoy more sports or get active with your family? Whatever your reasons are, Matthews suggests you write them down so you can always be reminded of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Shortform note: In The 10X Rule<\/em><\/a>, Grant Cardone agrees that defining your reasons for achieving particular goals is important. Cardone suggests you write them down twice <\/em>a day<\/a>\u2014once in the morning and once at night. Regularly writing down ambitious goals<\/a> and the motivations behind them will help you make better decisions<\/a> and act in ways that move you toward your health and fitness goals.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next, imagine what your ideal physique looks and feels like. Find and save images of the body type you want. These images can serve as inspiration and remind you that your goals are real and achievable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Shortform note: Some experts warn that viewing inspirational fitness content can actually decrease your motivation to exercise<\/a>. Several studies have found that people who want to exercise to achieve a certain appearance <\/em>rather than to achieve a state of health <\/em>tend to feel less motivated and more dissatisfied about their bodies after viewing this type of content.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Boost Your Willpower<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Now, you likely have some motivating reasons for getting stronger and healthier. However, immediate temptations, like craving your favorite junk food or skipping exercise to play video games, can still derail your fitness efforts if you\u2019re not careful. To make long-lasting progress, you must strengthen your willpower<\/a> and avoid temptations that can undermine your fitness efforts.<\/strong> Matthews gives some tips on how to deal with temptations when they arise:<\/p>\n\n\n\n