Well, it’s about that time of the year again. The weather gets warmer, and you may be dreading the fact that it’s nearly time to shed your jeans and sweaters and let your body out of hibernation! It can definitely be scary imagining heading to the beach after a long winter and even scarier getting back in the gym to prepare. With a little help from these motivational workout tips, you might just get excited to get moving, and then you’ll be counting down the days until you can show off your new bikini!
1. Find an Inspiration Photograph
Everyone needs a little motivation. Find a picture of a celebrity that has a physical attribute that you admire. Maybe you envy Cameron Diaz’s toned arms. Or you dream about having abs like Shakira. Find a photograph from a magazine of a fit celeb that you aspire to be like. Hang it somewhere that you’ll see it every day, and let it be your inspiration to get off your futon and get in the gym!
2. Write Down Goals
Create two lists. One list for the things that you love about your body and one for your get-fit goals. It may seem corny, but this is important to prove to you that you can love your body and still become stronger at the same time! For example, I have a hard time loving the short legs on my small, 5’2’’ frame. However, whenever I’m having a Mean Girls, mirror-loathing moment, I remember that my legs are what get me around every day and have helped me run many races in high school track. So even though they are not my favorite body part, I can still appreciate them and then further work on them at the gym!
3. Create a Workout Schedule
Write a weekly schedule. If you are a type-A personality like me, you love to write lists down for everything. Write down each day of the week and the times that you are able to work out either around your class and work schedules or whatever else you have in your daily routine. Giving yourself a time-slot specifically for the gym helps you to avoid an “I’m too busy today!” excuse. Go even further and write down exactly what you want to do. Focus on lower body a few times a week and upper the others. Plan hard days, light days and rest days. Sometimes just having it down on paper makes it more official.
4. Create a Get-Fit Allowance!
Give yourself some incentive. Put out a “Get Fit” jar and put a dollar in it every time you head to the gym or do a workout. Whether you’re trying to get in shape for summer or that Spring Break vacation, use the money that you’ve collected to treat yourself to something fun. You deserve it!
5. Switch up your workouts
Find what makes you happy and just do it. Nike has the right idea. Workouts don’t have to be such a drag. Enjoy yoga? Take a class at the fitness center. Are you a dancer? Try a belly dancing or Zumba class. Even pole-dancing classes are proving to be an excellent workout and a ton of fun! So switch up the old routine and ditch the elliptical. Sometimes change is just what you need to get yourself going again. And if you don’t have time for the gym check on fitness blogs or Pinterest.com for workouts that you can do in your own bedroom, no equipment necessary.
6. Shop!
Look Cute while getting fit! Head out to the mall and get some new workout gear. It may be nerve-wracking to sweat it out in the gym with so many people there, but currently there are so many cute fashionable workout finds that it’ll inspire you to want to show them off! Check out active wear like these cute aqua Capri’s from Forever 21 or these spunky sneaks from Nike.