Dear Mom,
For many, the new year means a fresh start. Many of us have our resolutions firmly in mind and the motivation to reinvent ourselves and achieve our goals is higher than ever. But what to do when that very motivation fails to materialize?
In this blog article, I’ll tell you how I motivate myself to give my best every day, regardless of whether it’s at the very beginning or in the middle of the year 😉
How do I stay motivated to realize my goals?
Once ready to actively achieve new goals, it is of course important that this motivation lasts. Unfortunately, sometimes that’s not that easy. Over time, however, I have developed a little guide for myself, with which success is almost guaranteed. Especially in sports, success is with the persistent.
1.Set realistic goals – avoid yoyo effect
To stay motivated in the long run, it is extremely important that you set achievable goals. So you have a lasting feeling of achievement for the foreseeable future, which is in itself again a great motivational kick. After all, who is not happy to achieve her goals 😉.
If you want to lose weight, losing it as quickly as possible and as much as possible in the shortest amount of time won’t bring you the desired results in the long run. You will damage your energy level and your soul! Realistic are 500g per week. This way you can keep it off later and not suffer from the typical yo-yo effect. Remember “Rome was not built in a day”.
2.Find allies – training together is twice the fun
It doesn’t matter if it’s your best friend, sister or someone you haven’t known that long.
Ultimately, it’s about reminding each other of your goals and pushing each other to perform at your best. Once you’ve found someone who has the same goal as you, you’re that much closer to success. As it is often the case, motivation comes easier in pairs than alone.
How about arranging a MOVE IT MAMA workout in the park? Fresh air and sweating together will put you in a good mood.
3.Get into the habit of a routine – sports as a calendar appointment
Many moms know only too well how important a well-thought-out routine can be. Not only does it help to integrate your goals in a structured way into your everyday life as a mommy, but it also helps you to follow a fixed procedure when motivation is lacking. On days when it’s hard for me to pick myself up, my routines have always been extremely helpful. And once started, the motivation usually comes all by itself!
Put your workouts in your calendar as a fixed appointment and if you feel a little limp, take it down a notch. You don’t have to go all out every time. My motto is: moderate, but regular!
4.Keep a success diary
Yay, you’ve reached your goal! 😊 Whether it was a milestone on the way to your goal or even your main goal, you deserve to celebrate yourself and treat yourself. That being said, I got a great tip from a very well-known American trainer: Write a success diary!!! On low-energy days you can then look at what you’ve already achieved, a super motivational kick in my opinion! This is exactly why we love the Bronze, Silver and Gold BADGES in our app. Looking back, you can see how many workouts you’ve completed and be proud of yourself.
How can I start the day motivated?
Aside from getting enough sleep – which as a mom is unfortunately often lacking – the right morning routine can work wonders. Of course, there is no universal routine that fits everyone because everyone has different prerequisites and rituals, but some tips can improve the morning energy level right away.
For me, the most important thing to start the day positively: avoid the snooze button. Because let’s be honest, we never stay with “only 5 minutes”. So don’t torture yourself and get up quickly to start the day. If your kids don’t kick you out of bed anyway 🙂
Once out of bed I start with a big glass of water. Not only does it keep you hydrated, but it makes you feel much more awake!
Next, I try to incorporate a workout every other day. Preferably when the little ones are still sleeping. What helps to not waste time: Keep your hands off your phone!
When it comes to the morning workout itself, the older the kids get, the easier it will be even if they are already awake and joining in. Believe me, the kids will get used to it, even if it might cost you some nerves at first, they might even enjoy doing one or the other exercise.
Besides, a healthy breakfast it is especially important to get your body going and replenish your energy reserves. Don’t forgo it because you have to take care of your baby or older kids. Remember, you are just as important and after all, you are the engine of the whole family and need to be fit.
What to do about lack of motivation?
Of course, there will be days or even weeks when motivation lags and that’s okay and normal! But don’t let that stop you from achieving your goals. You can do it!
The important thing is to stay flexible and individual. Find out what works for you and remember positive experiences: That motivates you even more!
You can also make as many breaks as you want on the way to your goal. After all, it’s all about you and what works for you. Take a deep breath, really let your soul dangle, that’s how you can slowly boost your motivation again.
And of course, don’t forget to celebrate the small successes: Praise yourself even when no one else does it! ☺️
I hope these tips can help you achieve all your goals this year. Not only to be strong athletically, but as well overall mentally! And remember, if something doesn’t work out and you’re just having a bad day, don’t be too hard on yourself. It happens to the best of us. 😉
The important thing is just to pick yourself back up and keep your goal in mind.
Keep it Moving,
Your Birte
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