There are so many reasons to work out beyond simply the physical. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with having body composition goals—to lose weight, gain muscle, or other aesthetic aspirations. However, if you only focus on a single measurement of success like the physical look of your body, you may feel discouraged and lose motivation when change doesn’t happen as quickly as intended. That is why you have to look at parallel outcome (result) goals as well as process goals like measuring how often you stick to your plan.
You can find powerful motivating reasons to hit the gym every time you work out, regardless of how many pounds or inches you’ve lost or gained. Things like seeing how many more minutes you can last on the rower, how much more weight you can life, or how well you kept up with the rest of the class in the latest Zumba hit. Keeping these equally important things in mind can mean the difference between working out and pushing the gym off the to do list (especially on those rough days).
Some excellent reasons to work out (and make note of) regularly include:
- Feeling confident
- Gaining strength
- The rush of endorphins after a workout
- The feeling of accomplishment when a workout is complete
- Better health
- Your loved ones
- Your happiness
- Excellent stress relief
- Yourself
Your big goals may include losing 20 pounds and looking great in a swimsuit but achieving these goals is a far-off finish line. In order to stay dedicated for the long haul, take heed to the smaller, everyday accomplishment of simply showing up. The great feeling that comes with post-workout endorphins is a much more “right now” reason to go workout—especially if you’re still 15 pounds away from your long-term “lose 30 pounds” goal.
Keep in mind that working out is about so much more than looking great and is often a lot more rewarding if you take stock of all the other benefits you are realizing. Improved health, keeping up with little ones, and the ability to live a fuller life are all great motivators, too.