Unleashing Motivation: Discovering Joy in Exercise and Cultivating Grit

Finding the motivation to exercise can be a challenging task. For many, the mental energy required to convince oneself to work out can be more draining than the actual physical activity. However, there is a solution to this common dilemma: discovering the forms of exercise that bring joy and satisfaction. When you engage in activities you genuinely enjoy, you no longer have to rely on willpower to get started; instead, you actively look forward to them.

Take my own experience, for instance. I realized that jogging was not my cup of tea, so I stopped forcing myself to go on runs. In my opinion, the so-called “runner’s high” is merely the relief of completing the run, although dedicated joggers may beg to differ. The key is to experiment with various exercises until you find the ones that truly make you feel good, not just afterward, but during the activity itself.

Serena Williams, the remarkable tennis player, eloquently summed up this notion in her recent essay for Harper’s Bazaar. Reflecting on her extensive career, she revealed that her motivation to continue playing tennis boils down to a simple reason: she genuinely loves the sport. As long as Serena’s passion for tennis persists, her motivation remains unwavering.

Of course, I understand that discovering your exercise niche may not be as easy in practice as it sounds on paper. Most fitness enthusiasts will tell you that it takes time to find the activities that resonate with you. However, if you persist and keep exploring, you will eventually discover your own path.

According to Jordan Syatt, an elite powerlifter, strength trainer, and nutrition coach, relying on external motivation is a common mistake. Many people continually search for that elusive key to motivation, but Syatt believes this approach is misguided. He emphasizes that motivation is not the starting point; rather, it’s about cultivating a sense of grit within yourself. Sometimes, you have to push yourself to get started, even when you don’t feel like it. It’s far more comfortable to stay in bed watching Netflix, indulging in your favorite snacks, rather than getting up, going to the gym, and doing what you know is necessary to achieve your goals.

Syatt suggests setting a 30-day challenge for yourself, such as committing to four gym sessions per week. Short-term challenges like these are effective because they require you to summon your inner resolve for a defined period. As you conquer these challenges and start seeing results, your motivation will naturally grow, propelling you beyond the initial 30-day mark. Syatt, who serves as Gary Vee’s personal trainer, believes this “action-results-motivation” loop is the key to achieving your goals.

However, it’s crucial not to make drastic lifestyle changes that are unsustainable. Syatt advises against embarking on outrageously extreme 30-day challenges that involve excessive gym sessions and severe calorie cuts. Instead, focus on setting a sustainable challenge that you can maintain for the entire duration. This approach ensures that your actions lead to results, which in turn fuels your motivation, creating a positive cycle.

Another mindset shift that can enhance your exercise journey is moving away from the sole focus on aesthetic outcomes. Transforming your body’s appearance takes time, especially if you prioritize health and sustainability. If your primary motivation for going to the gym or engaging in high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is solely based on aesthetics, you’re likely to feel demotivated. Renowned fitness influencer Kelsey Wells emphasizes that fitness should be about your health, not just aesthetics. It’s perfectly fine to have aesthetic goals, as long as they are attainable for your body type and pursued in a healthy manner. However, when your appearance becomes the sole driver, you may find yourself constantly criticizing and doubting your progress, leading to discouragement.

Instead, set non-aesthetic goals for yourself. This could involve accomplishing a pull-up, swimming 20 laps without a break, or successfully maintaining the beat throughout an entire spin class. Having realistic and attainable goals like these provides a sense of purpose and keeps you motivated along your fitness journey.

In conclusion, finding exercise motivation is not about relying solely on external factors or waiting for inspiration to strike. It’s about exploring different activities until you discover what genuinely brings you joy. Cultivating grit, setting sustainable challenges, and shifting the focus from aesthetics to overall health are key components of maintaining long-term motivation. Remember, the journey to fitness is unique for each individual, so be patient, persevere, and enjoy the process.