Do you know your exercise motivators and demotivators?

You’re not alone if you sometimes struggle to stay on track with your health and fitness routine. Staying motivated to be active can be difficult and it’s natural for your motivation to ebb and flow over time.

Knowing what motivates and demotivates you helps enable you to focus on what helps support realizing your goals while safeguarding against factors that can derail you. Everybody’s motivators and demotivators for exercise will vary depending on their unique preferences and workout goals. However, some are more common than others. Let’s take a look at common exercise motivators and demotivators.

Exercise motivators

• The health benefits of physical activity - the desire to improve overall health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases are powerful motivators for many individuals to continue exercising.
• Weight management - maintaining a healthy weight.
• Muscle growth - building strength and seeing improvements in sports performance or daily activity.
• Boost energy levels - regular exercise can lead to increased energy levels</li>
• Stress reduction - movement of any kind, like a walk, jog, or dance around the kitchen are  proven stress relievers.
• Social interaction - those who find ways to get moving with friends or others in the community can find the social aspect of exercise a strong motivator.
• Goal setting - having a goal to work towards is a huge motivator to continue a regular training or movement routine.
• Better mood - exercise releases endorphins, known as "feel-good" hormones, which can be a significant motivator.

Exercise demotivators

• Lack of time - one of the most common demotivators is the perception of not having enough time for exercise due to busy schedules.
• Lack of results - when individuals don't see noticeable progress or changes in their fitness, it can be demotivating.
• Setting unrealistic goals - having goals that are not specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART goals) can lead to a lack of results, which, in turn, demotivates people and leads to frustration.
• Boredom - repeating the same exercises or routines without variety can lead to exercise boredom and a lack of motivation.
• Injuries or muscle pains - dealing with injuries or experiencing physical discomfort or pain during exercise can be dangerous and demotivating.
• Lack of support - having no social support from friends and family can make it challenging to maintain the motivation to stay active.
• Burnout - overdoing physical activity and not allowing for sufficient rest and. recovery can lead to burnout, fatigue, and injury.