Do you ever feel like no matter how badly you want to join a workout challenge you just can’t stick to it? Maybe you start but after a day or two life gets in the way and you struggle to keep up with it. Or maybe committing to it is very difficult so you don’t even start. Whatever the reason may be, I’m here to help. I’ve done quite a few workout challenges myself and I’ve completed all of them. Now, this isn’t to say it wasn’t challenging. I mean, at the end of the day it’s called a “challenge” for a reason. However, I’ve learned a few things along the way and I want to share with you how to stick to a workout challenge and crush your goals.
Leave the Pressure Behind
First and foremost, don’t pressure yourself. If you force yourself to do something, you’re more likely to not want to do it. Yes, it’s great you want to complete a challenge and yes, it’s great you’re setting yourself that goal but don’t force it. Tell yourself this is something you’re trying to accomplish because you want to and because it feels good. Not because you have to. Once you leave that pressure aside, you’re already getting in the best mindset to accomplish a workout challenge.
Choose a Challenge You’ll Be Excited About
It’s easy for us to sign up for a challenge without really thinking about it. However, I encourage you to sign up for a challenge you’re actually excited about. Even if you’re not 110% in, at least a bit of excitement will take you further along. There’s no point trying to do a workout challenge you’re going to dread instead of being excited about it. So choose wisely!
Find Accountability Buddies
I’ve said it before and will say it over and over again but accountability buddies will be life-changing. Find a friend or a stranger that will quickly become a friend (trust me on this) and ask them to be your accountability buddy. I met most of my closest friends through Tone it Up challenges when they became my accountability buddies. Fast-forward to today and they’re some of the people in my life I can count on for everything. Perhaps the workout challenge you’re doing has a social media hashtag or you can find a list of other participants somewhere. Just find people who are doing the same challenge and work together to hold each other accountable.
Set Yourself a Reward
Hear me out. We’re all more likely to do something when we know we’re getting a reward at the end. Maybe it’s buying yourself something or treating yourself to a spa day. Whatever reward you can think of that will motivate you, choose that. Write it out or maybe put a sticky note near where you work out so you have a reminder of something to look forward to.
Plan Challenge Check-Ins
Schedule check-ins with yourself or your accountability buddies. Let’s say you’re doing a 30-day challenge. Try checking in every 10 days or even more often if you need to. Use these check-ins to evaluate how you’re feeling, what’s motivating you or what may be affecting your motivation, and make sure to write down any progress you’ve made. It’ll be helpful to come back to it throughout the challenge and other check-ins to really see your progress along the way.
There you have it. Those are my tips for how to stick to a workout challenge. Just remember you don’t need a new month or a new week to start a challenge. And most importantly, remember that it’s called a challenge for a reason. After all, if it doesn’t challenge you it doesn’t change you. Now go on and find the challenge that’s best for you. Tell me in the comments below what you’re planning on doing as I’d love to cheer you on!
