Fitness Motivation: The Key to Achieving Your Goals

Understanding the Basics of Fitness

There are several absolute truths in the fitness industry:

• Nutrition plans and programming are only as good as they are sustainable.

• Protein, fat, and carbohydrates all play crucial roles in our nutrition and should not be heavily restricted.

• It’s always better to have too many clients than not enough.

• The clients come first.

  
  

All of these statements hold true, whether one wants to believe them or not.

The Client-Trainer Relationship

Another absolute truth I’ve encountered many times as a trainer is that within the client-trainer relationship, I can’t be the one who wants this more. I can’t be more invested in the client’s success than the client themselves.

That isn’t to say that I don’t want them to reach and exceed all of their goals; I absolutely do. But they have to be as tenacious about those achievements as I am. I have had a lot of success with clients from all walks of life.

Men, women, young, old, and everyone in between have come to me for help. I’ve assisted a woman in reducing her body fat from 41% to 26%. I’ve helped athletes increase their maximal strength and rehabilitate injuries. The common denominator in all these success stories is that the client wanted it more than I did.

It’s very obvious when you see someone truly motivated in the gym. Any professional can spot them a mile away.

The Challenge of Motivation

Admittedly, I sometimes find it hard to empathize with people who aren’t willing to put in the time and effort to hit their fitness goals. I do my best, but if I ask someone to rate their commitment on a scale of 1 to 10 and I get a “6” in response, that’s usually followed by a noticeable pause and an inevitable “why so low?”

To be honest, it’s my least favorite part of my job, a job I truly love. Chasing people down and trying to convince them that exercise and investing in their health is a positive step can be incredibly demoralizing.

There isn’t a step that can be taken until that person is ready to commit to the process. But when they do, it makes the success stories that much greater. It’s much easier to avoid lifting weights than it is to actually lift them. That weight is heavy, and it’s hard. I get it. But every time you push through that challenge, you get closer to your goals and stronger in every way. This is your fitness motivation, a reminder that every rep, every drop of sweat, and every moment of effort is building the best version of you.

The Reality of Long-Term Goals

Hearing that a goal could take 12 to 18 months can be hard to fathom. We live in a convenience-first society. If I want a burrito, I no longer need to leave my couch.

Unfortunately, there isn’t a quick fix to this. I’m sorry, but there isn’t. If someone isn’t motivated to change their behavior, there isn’t anything I or anyone else can do for them.

It has to start internally. There needs to be self-reliance and accountability. True fitness motivation comes from taking responsibility and choosing to show up for yourself. When that happens, call me. I can help.

The Benefits of Commitment

Plus, committing to fitness usually makes every other part of the day easier, and it only takes an hour. Is something else more important than you?

In conclusion, the journey to fitness is not just about physical changes. It's about mental strength and commitment. When you decide to invest in yourself, the rewards are endless.

By Chris Spencer, Personal Trainer at Ampersand Fitness.