Are you a fair-weather gym rat? You know the type: the one who hits the treadmill or free weight station hard every day for a week or two, and then needs to recover with a solid three months of Netflix bingeing on the couch.
If you want to stay motivated in your exercise routine for the long haul, there are some things you should be doing after each workout to reinforce your own behavior. After all, good routines lead to good habits, and good habits in the gym lead to rock-hard abs! Here are three tips that will help you stick to your workout plan for good.
Treat Yourself to a Healthy, Tasty Snack
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Small, daily rewards can trigger feel-good responses in the brain that will leave you coming back for more. Make sure that you nourish your body post-workout with foods that are both healthy and tasty. Try hummus and crackers for something salty, or blended frozen banana with peanut butter for a little sweet treat.
Focus on a Future Goal
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You have plenty of vague goals for working out: You want to be healthy. You want to look good in those jeans. But setting more specific goals can help motivate you to get better and better each day. If you’re into running or biking, sign up for a race in a few months that’s a little bit further than what you can do now. If you lift, give yourself a monthly weight goal. Keep a running log of your progress so that you can look back and see how far you’ve come.
Remember How Good You Feel
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At the end of your workout, take a moment to appreciate just how good your body feels. Yes, you’re probably tired, sweaty, and famished — but you should also feel proud and accomplished! Go ahead and snap a bicep selfie in the mirror. The next time you’re having a hard time getting motivated to lace up your sneakers, remember that post-workout glow.
h/t: My Domaine