8 Ways to ReSet Your Workout Mojo

What to do when you’ve lost your motivation for working out?

How to get your motivation back?

Restart is not a four letter word, but damn it feels like it!

I’ve begun the process of my own reset and thought I’d share what’s working for me and a little science behind why.

1.  Drink More Water
You'd be surprised at how much being even slightly dehydrated shows up as tiredness. Up your water intake to a gallon a day. In general, you should try to drink between half an ounce and an ounce of water for each pound you weigh, every day. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, that would be 75 to 150 ounces of water a day.

2. Sunshine & The Great Outdoors
Sunlight is a known factor that can elevate mood, increase motivation, help with depression and anxiety and stave off Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). The availability of sunlight has been shown to have more impact on mood than rainfall, temperature or any other environmental factor. The good news is that a little sunlight goes a long way: often 20-30 minutes is sufficient. Small increases in your exposure can improve your sleep as well as your mental and physical health.

3. Music
Put on your favorite (upbeat) tunes and see how fast your mood can change.  Pick that song that you can't help but dance to.  You want to think about picking music with a beat and theme that you can match your mood and energy to.  

4. Vision Inspo Board (Pinterest)
Create a vision board of activities & bodies that inspire you.  The trick here is to make sure you're not comparing as you create & look at the image.  Use the board to become inspired for what's possible, how you'd like to look, move, show up as well as physical accomplishments and goals you might have.  Be sure to include interested hobbies, i.e. yoga poses, running races, ultra marathons, body building competitions, etc.  Let your mind use these images to attract what you'd like to accomplish.

5. Challenge Yourself
There's nothing better than a goal with a date.  Be it a 5k on a certain date, a 75-day hard challenge or a get in shape for a wedding date, having a defined goal helps you to motivate and program around.  It also gets you mentally excited!

6. Find Your Tribe
Whether you choose to get a workout buddy, join an accountability group or get a gym family a sense of community will do your motivation AND your body good.  

7. Set a Routine
Try to workout at a similar time of the day. Although it may be hard to begin at first, you're body and your brain will begin to crave that workout as it becomes the new 'normal' of your daily agenda.  

8. Track it (App, Bullet Journal or Old School)
Gamify it for yourself as you use an app like Strava, Map My Fitness, Renaissance Periodization or there are so many more!  Not only can an app gamify the process, it also tracks your progress and many reward you and encourage you along the way.  It's win-win.