Are your workouts a task or a chore that you have to do? Or are they one of the best parts of your day – something that you get to do? Suppose you tend to approach your workouts as just another item on your to-do list, like taking out the trash or emptying the dishwasher. This approach impacts not only your workout mindset, but also your workout performance.
Seeing your workouts as something you get to do increases your chances of reaching your fitness goals while creating a healthy and sustainable workout habit. Here are a few ways to tweak your workout approach so that you turn a “have to” attitude into a “get to” mindset:
1. Start by choosing a workout you enjoy.
Let’s face it, some workouts are challenging and tough to get through. And that’s okay! Hard work puts you on the path to getting results. And while you may not love every single burpee or 400m run, overall, a workout should be something that you enjoy. There has to be a fun factor involved in the process. The source of that fun might be the people you work out with, the coaches who guide you, the ongoing learning aspect, or something else you look forward to. The important thing is that there is something you look forward to. If you dread your next workout because you always end up running on a treadmill by yourself, then it’s time for a change!
2. Leave some room for a little leeway.
Following a structured workout schedule and sticking to it can help you develop a consistent workout habit. The only problem is a plan that is too strict and regimented can quickly turn the workouts that you used to look forward to into something that you have to do. The trick is finding a balance between structure and flexibility. The structure keeps you on track. But the flexibility leaves room for life to happen.
3. Focus on the process.
When you’re working toward a fitness goal, some days it can seem like you’re not making any progress. You get so focused on the outcome that you lose sight of all the little changes happening along the way. Rather than enjoying the process, each workout becomes a slog to get to a future outcome. One way to turn things around is to shift your focus from the future to the present. You’ll always have that future goal in the back of your mind, but it’s okay to set it on a back burner so that you have more mental energy to spend on what you can work on today.
To learn more about Rhapsody Fitness in Charleston and our range of programs, get in touch with Team Rhapsody today.
