You’re trying to reignite your motivation to move, after all, that’s why you’re here. And good news, this is the perfect place to be! So, welcome. If you’ve experienced the benefits of working out, you may be familiar with things like sky-high energy levels, efficient productivity, boosted metabolism, stronger bones, sculpted muscles, deep restful sleep, improved mood, and better cardiovascular health. Phew — and that’s not even an all-encompassing list!! With that said, it’s easy to get stuck in a fitness rut. You may know why you want to move, but getting started isn’t always easy. Life can be busy and stressful, we get it! So if exercise fell to the bottom of your priority list, we have you covered with some powerful fitness mantras to kick that motivation up a notch.
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Why Mantras Work to Keep You Motivated
How many of you wake up every morning and jump out of bed motivated to sweat it out? I know I don’t!! Motivation won’t always be there day in and day out. And when your day is jam-packed and your stress is running high, it can be easy to talk yourself out of your workout for lack of time or energy. That’s why sticking to a fitness program comes down to your mindset! Yes, the words you speak to yourself — whether out loud or internal — are so powerful in both your fitness journey and overall health! If you truly believe you can reach your goals, you will. But if you’re doubting yourself and stuck in that negative mindset, sticking to a workout plan may feel a little trickier.
Luckily, we have the perfect pick-me-up to do the trick.
Enter: motivating fitness mantras. If you have a meditation practice, you may already be familiar with the idea of using mantras to change your mindset. A mantra is a positive affirmation that you will use every day to change your subconscious negative thoughts — which linger in the background without you even noticing — to conscious positive thoughts.
The negative subconscious thoughts you have around exercise (or anything, really) are much more powerful than you think. Negative self-talk can lead to feelings of depression, stress, and anxiety, plus it has a direct impact on self-esteem, productivity, and motivation.
This is why simply creating powerful, positive thoughts can get you to your fitness goals quicker.
And we’re making it easy for you with these ten powerful fitness mantras that will start to create big shifts in your mindset and help get you back on track.
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10 Motivating Fitness Mantras
#1 I Do Not Need to Be (or feel) Perfect to Have a Great Workout Today
Remember what we mentioned above about motivation? Well, you’re not going to feel motivated or energized to work out every day. It’s just not possible as a human being. But you know that, that’s why you’re here! If you’re feeling sore or downright exhausted, check in with your body. Some days you’ll need the rest, which can actually enhance your performance and fitness goals!
But, if you’re skipping out on your workout plans due to mental chatter, show yourself some grace and try your best to get in some exercise anyway. Reminder: your workout does NOT need to be perfect! What is perfect, anyway? Our workouts should be highly individualized to our goals, our body, and our needs. So, drop the self-criticism and flood your mind with positive, motivating thoughts!
#2 I Love My Body and Want to Give it What it Needs
Your workout is meant to make you feel good, not to serve as a punishment. It’s so important to remember that exercising is an act of self-love. The more of it you have for yourself, the more likely you are to stick to your goals. Our bodies naturally want to move, so show yourself some love by working up a sweat! If you catch yourself in a pattern of negative self-talk, take a minute to repeat this positive affirmation: “I want to work out because I love my body. I want to workout to give my mind and body what it needs”.
#3 All I Need to Do is Start, The Rest Will Come
This is one of our go-to fitness mantras on days where you want to throw the towel in, or don’t even know where to start. But, just know that sometimes the first step is the hardest part.
It’s easy to look to the future, visualize your workout, and let thoughts of self-doubt creep in. Will I even be able to push through? Am I strong enough to do this exercise? We’ve all been there. Just focus on starting and let your mind catch up with your body. Remember: it doesn’t need to be perfect. And once you get started, you’ll be reminded of just how good it feels!
#4 I Strive For Progress, Not Perfection
Back to that perfectionist mindset. It’s simply inhuman to be perfect — and not only is it unrealistic, but trying to reach perfection is totally unmotivating. However, thinking about all the progress you’ve made and/or are going to make will get you jumping out of bed, motivated to crush another workout. Think: small, simple, attainable goals! You’re laying a solid, lasting foundation. It takes time! But if you stick with it, the results will come.
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#5 I’m Doing This For Me
There’s nothing more motivating than feeling like you are the reason for your goals. Knowing you always have your own back and are rooting for yourself is more powerful than you realize.
So get up and sweat it out for YOU — your strength, health, happiness, and peace!
#6 I Will Not Let My Mind Hold My Body Back
Our mind can be our biggest frenemy. It thinks it’s doing us a favor, but sometimes those negative thoughts are habitual (and more repetitive than we realize). If we’re not mindful, they can wind up wreaking havoc on our motivation and goals.
That’s why it’s so important to practice positive self-talk and show yourself some love. So, repeat after me “I will not let my mind hold my body back.” Continue to feed your brain with this positive fitness mantra, and it’ll start to learn it’s not always the boss of you.
#7 I Find Comfort in The Discomfort Knowing This is The Start of My Transformation
Exercise is not comfortable by nature. To build strength or endurance, learn to get comfortable with being uncomfortable! That’s where the biggest transformation happens.
Of course, you always want to listen to your body to prevent injuries. But learning to love the burn will help you reach your fitness goals that much quicker.
#8 I Am Going to Feel Amazing After This Workout
The gratification, euphoria, and yummy, healthy meal that comes after a workout are seriously the best. Focusing on the end result can be super powerful if being present in your workout is more difficult or you need an extra boost to push through one more set.
#9 I Can Trust Myself Because I Follow Through With My Commitments
Kick your subconscious self-doubting thoughts to the curb! If you’ve tried and tried again to stick to a workout regimen, this one is for you. Even if you don’t believe it at first, repeat, repeat, repeat until you do! This fitness mantra will help rewire your brain so you can start reaching the goals you crave.
#10 I’ve Got This!
Sometimes you just need a quick reminder that you are capable of whatever you put your mind to, and this mantra has all of that wrapped up into three short words. Boom! Because you really do, you’ve got this!!
Your Mind is Your Strongest Flex
Your mental health is just as, if not more, important than your physical health. Finding the right tools to create mental resilience and a positive outlook is key to staying committed to your fitness goals.
Finding fitness mantras that work is a very personal discovery, and once you find the ones that click, you’ll be UN-STOP-A-BLE!
And let those positive thoughts start now! You’re here reading this after all, pat yourself on the back. This is the first step!
The second step? Repeat these mantras, open the FitOn app and press play on a workout and go crush those goals.
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