Motivating someone to work out can be quite tricky. Especially when you are not the one working out. However, several things will help motivate someone around you or close to you to hit the gym and start being more active.
How to motivate someone to work out?
1) Start small
One of the best ways to get someone started is by doing something yourself first. Seeing someone enjoying and feeling positive after a workout is the best way to motivate someone to do the same. Even if you won’t go on long runs or lift heavyweights, it’s important to show interest in this lifestyle first.
2) Be one’s role model
Show them that you can be someone who hasn’t exercised before and that you can succeed in making exercise a part of your life. You must be an example for someone.
3) Make it fun
There are plenty of things to do to get active, from playing football with your friends, doing yoga or barre workout at home, running around the lake near you, or even just having a picnic in the park. The possibilities are endless. Find something you both enjoy doing and do it together!
4) Try visiting a fitness club near you
Fitness clubs have become more accessible in recent years, with many luxury amenities offered to local members. You could visit a personal trainer at your local gym or go for pilates classes to get the motor started.
5) Create new habits
Changing someone’s mindset is quite hard, but with time it can be done. Gradually get someone into new habits that will turn into something more permanent. Go for a jog together after work or on the weekend, try getting up an hour early to enjoy the morning sun, and run around your block.
What to say to motivate someone to work out?
1) Do not make comparisons
This is a big one. It can be hard to feel motivated knowing that someone close to you weighs less, has more muscle, or has lost more weight than you. However, if you compare yourself to others and start feeling bad about your body and results (or lack thereof), it will only lead to motivation problems.
2) Positive words
Remind yourself and your family that working out is something that makes you feel better, not worse. There’s no such thing as ‘my metabolism needs to catch up, there is only motivation and hard work. If it doesn’t happen overnight, this means we need to change our routine. Being positive will make the process easier.
3) Focus on the benefits, not the pain
There is no such thing as easy workouts or healthy food and thinking otherwise will only lead to them not believing you and getting bored faster. Most people like to hear about what they’re going to gain from exercise and not what they should avoid doing altogether. This way, we would all eat more chocolate and burn it off in a blink of an eye.
4) Avoid using clichés as motivation.
“You’re too skinny,” “you would look better with some curves,” “stop being lazy.” This is not how you should motivate someone around you, simply because those things don’t work. Instead of pointing out what other people think, please find what you like about them and remind them of it.
5) Praise their effort, not the result
We must praise others for working hard towards a goal. However, don’t be surprised if the person refuses to go with you again if they see no progress from week to week. Remind them that the right progress takes time and that you are proud of their effort. Sometimes, this is enough to motivate them to keep going.
6) Be patient
We all know how fast things can get boring when it comes to working out. And sometimes, we feel like there’s nothing more motivating than seeing your weight every day or having muscles pop out of nowhere. But remember that if someone close to you hasn’t exercised before, it’s normal for their progress to take some time.
7) It’s all about priorities
If you feel that the person around you isn’t motivated enough, maybe it’s because they don’t prioritize their health enough. They might be more interested in other things or not care enough about their body. Don’t be afraid to have a conversation with them and try to get to the bottom of it.
In the end, motivation is something that comes from within. The most important thing you can do is show people that working out doesn’t have to be a chore and has so many health benefits!
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