Let’s be honest, here… it’s a struggle to stay motivated sometimes.

During quarantine it can be that much harder to stick to your health & fitness goals. And that can be frustrating, especially if you felt like you were getting in a groove or were primed to start tackling your goals.

I get it.

But before I get into the nitty gritty of staying motivated at home, I want to tell you this: first and foremost, your mental health should be a top priority. So although I am going to give you some tips for staying motivated and sticking to your goals, if you need to take the time to simply focus on your mental health, PLEASE DO IT.

I struggle with anxiety often, so I know there are times when simply making it through the day is a win. And that’s ok. The biggest piece of advice I can give you is to let yourself feel those feelings, and try a variety of methods to focus on what your heart & mind need most: meditation, journaling, sleep, exercise, a hot bath, facetiming with a friend… whatever.

Then be honest with yourself and try your best to understand when you’re letting yourself feel those emotions in a productive way and when you’re simply having a pity party and digging yourself into a deeper dwell of emotions that are self-destructive.

As my favorite author & researcher Brene Brown says, “Don’t forget you’re human. It’s okay to have a meltdown, just don’t unpack and live there.”

When you’re feeling up to it and want to start tackling your health & fitness goals, here are a few things you can do to get motivated:

1. Reach out to your support system. Reach out to your friends and family and let them know you are going to be making a big change in your life, and you will need their support. Ask them to help you stay accountable. Better yet: ask them to join you!
2. Surround yourself with like-minded individuals. Facetime with friends who you know are making health & fitness a priority. Ask them how they are making their goals happen. Follow popular fitness influencers on social media. Read blogs, watch documentaries, and learn as much as you can about the goal you want to tackle. We act on the things we see most often.
   1. If you’d like, join my free facebook accountability group to keep you on track!
3. Put it on the schedule. The most common excuse for not working out is that you don’t have the time. Luckily, we have been gifted with more time now than ever. Take a hard look at your schedule and set 2-5 times a week that you are going to workout. Get as specific as possible. But be careful not to overwhelm yourself – just because we have extra time doesn’t mean going from 0 workouts in a week to 5 won’t seem daunting. Make goals that feel achievable and go out and crush them.
   1. Did you know that I am hosting free FB Live workouts every Monday, Wednesday & Friday at noon during quarantine? Put them on the schedule & join in the fun! Or watch them after on YouTube!
4. Make it fun & try something new. Try new physical activities that get you excited to live a healthier lifestyle. I recently dusted off & tuned up my bike, and although I haven’t ridden in years, I’m finding a ton of joy from getting out and riding along the lake. It’s a new activity for me and it’s fun. What have you put off in the past that you’d really like to try? We have a fresh start: let’s make the most of it!
5. Be cognizant of how you are using your time. It can be so easy to get stuck in the abyss of the internet & social media – especially right now. Set a timer on your favorite social media apps and put down your phone. Instead, opt outside and / or work on projects you’ve been putting off forever. Clean the house, learn something new, etc. Use your time to focus on bettering yourself!
6. Re-frame your goals. Are you phrasing your goals in a way that gives you an “out” in case you don’t succeed? When it comes to making a commitment, stay away from phrases like “I will try to workout 4 times a week.” Instead use, “I will workout 4 times a week.” Stay strong and firm in your commitments! You’ve got this.

I hope this helps, my friend. We are all struggling right now – you are not alone. If you ever need to chat or work through a problem – I’m here. Please don’t be afraid to reach out.

Until then, stay strong & focus on you!