7 Tips to Rev Up Your Motivation to Get Fit Before Prom
With Prom only a few months away, NOW is the time to get your fitness goals in check and physically get yourself onto that cardio machine. After all, we all want to look amazing and fit in that sleek and sleeveless prom dress. But easier said than done, right? We totally feel you on this one! Between the cold, wintry days where all you want to do is pile on the sweaters, socks and blankets, the recent holiday season where we indulged on everything succulent and delicious and the obvious shortened daylight hours, the idea of hitting the gym in the morning or somewhere in between school and homework, seems like an overwhelming feat in itself. But…it can be done. And with some willpower, organization and a few minor changes to your daily routine, you’ll soon find it as part of your lifestyle…or at least until prom peeks its pretty face! Here are some helpful tips to boost your motivation.
1. Reposition your Alarm Clock. It’s no surprise that mornings are the best time to get that workout going. It jump starts your metabolism and helps you burn calories at a higher rate throughout the day. The only tragic issue? Getting out of bed extra early to make that happen. Our easy solution, which actually works wonders, is setting your alarm an hour earlier and placing it at farther area of your bedroom. Close enough so you can still hear it, but far enough that you’d have to get up and walk to turn it off. Once you’re up, you’ll find it easier to stretch and make a detour away from your bed and towards your gym clothes.
2. Schedule a Workout Date. Workout buddies are amazing motivators! Set a specific time on certain days of the week to meet for a trip to the gym, a jog in the park, a tennis match, etc. You’ll be less likely to flake out on your workout if you have someone else who’s waiting for you. Plus, having a gym buddy makes the experience much more fun and rewarding. Because let’s face it, going solo might get a little boring, which might result in poor performance at the gym.
3. Make Friends at the Gym. If you don’t have a gym buddy yet, no worries! After a few weeks, chances are you’ll make one after routine visits. You’ll become familiar with the gym regulars who exercise at the same time. See it as sort of a social factor that serves as inspiration to get going everyday. Besides, they’ll start to wonder where you are if you’re a no show for a day or two. Consistency is key and working out with other familiar faces will help you attain this.
4. Create a Set Goal. It’s always a great idea to set reachable goals. Every Sunday night, make it a point to create your workout schedule for the coming week. Write it down, for example, “This week, I’m waking up at 6am Monday through Thursday to run 2-3 miles before school.” Set alerts on your phone too, just as you would on a special appointment. If you cannot make those dates, record the reasons why. Then, set aside time later to analyze those reasons and derive ways on how to overcome them the next time around.
5. Create a Workout Playlist. Music is a guaranteed quick motivator in the morning. And research has shown that listening to good, upbeat music when you workout can create positive thoughts and help fight fatigue. The best way to go to starting with a faster tempo at the beginning of your workout to rev up your energy level then gradually shift to a slower tempo towards the end.
6. Prepare the Night Before. Following through on a workout routine can be challenging. But one of the simplest things you can do to make it easier is prepare your gym clothes and equipment the night before. This way you don’t waste any time sifting through your drawer in the morning or looking for your headphones or sneakers.
7. Reward Yourself. If you’re getting into a nice groove, meeting the goals that you’ve set out for yourself and getting up four out of five days to work out for an hour, TREAT YOURSELF! For instance, get a manicure, a new outfit or fabulous pair of shoes. Keeping that little sweet treat in mind will give you the extra push you’ll need to battle the blankets and jump out of bed to hit the gym.
And the sweetest reward of them all? Feeling amazing from head to toe and looking equally amazing in your dress at prom!
xo, Camille
