Get Your Head in the Game: 5 Mental Strength Working Out Tips

We’ve all heard about the importance of working out and the benefits of regular exercise, but sometimes it’s hard to find the motivation and get your head in the game.

If you’re anything like me, you like the idea of working out. Maybe you think it would be cool to run a mile in 7 minutes. You might even go so far as to buy that pair of Nikes or Reeboks. And that’s where you stop. Your motivation hits a wall, and your progress halts and you find it difficult to get your head in the game.

But instead of stopping there, you can push through. Below are a few mental tricks I’ve learned to help push through that wall and really get into my workout routine.

How To Get Your Head In The Game:

Set an Achievable Goal

The first step to get your head in the game is motivating yourself to work out is setting a goal. The best goals with fitness and working out are those that combine a target weight (e.g. “I want to weigh this much”), and a time frame (e.g. “I want to lose that weight in this amount of time”).

Make sure the goal is achievable. If you’re trying to lose 20 lbs. in 2 weeks, you’re not going to achieve that goal, and if you do, it won’t be healthy for your body. The recommended amount of weight to lose per week is 2-3 lbs. So aim for somewhere around 10 lbs. per month, at most.

Put the goal where you can see it often. Next to your bed, by your mirror, in your car. You want it to always be there in the forefront of your mind while trying to drag up the motivation to continue doing it. Pair the goal with some motivational quotes to get your head in the game.

Quotes like Walt Disney’s “If you can dream it, you can do it,” or Thomas Edison’s “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” Find some quotes that inspire you, and keep them with your goal.

Find the Right Incentive

A goal often isn’t enough to get your head in the game and give you the motivation to get out there and work out. You also need to give yourself an incentive or reward. If you’re having a tough time getting to the gym or hitting the pavement, it’s because you haven’t found the right incentive. For some people, the right incentive is monetary: if a friend or family member pays them for each pound they lose, they have the motivation to lose weight.

Some people aren’t driven by money though. If you’re one of those, find something that does drive you so you can get your head in the game.

What do you love?

What are you passionate about?

If you love to read and are constantly buying books, tell yourself you can’t buy another book until you lose as much weight as the new book costs. Find a way to use your passion as your motivational drive—it will be much more effective in pushing you to reach your goals and to get your head in the game.

Imagine the New You

When you find the right incentive you can get your head in the game and you might want to jump right into exercising. Before you do, take a picture of yourself. This is your “before picture.” Because losing weight happens gradually, if you’re not checking the scale regularly, you might not even realize you’ve lost any weight. You also might not notice any physical difference when you lose the desired amount this for sure will help get your head in the game.

A before picture will give you a visual proof of how much you’ve changed. You can also use it as a gauge to envision a new you. With a vision in your head of how you want to look, and with a target weight goal in mind, you will be able to keep yourself going, losing the weight you want to.

Get Some Alone Time

Working out gives you time to think about life and make decisions. It gives you time to yourself. Keep that in mind when you’re trying to convince yourself to work out. It can be hard to set aside time to focus on you, but it’s something you have to do in order to stay mentally and physically healthy and keep your head in the game. Being able to multitask by working out and getting some “you” time is great, so don’t skimp on the time you spend working out. It’s your time.

Relieve Your Stress

Exercise is a proven stress-reducer. If you find yourself stressed out and stretched thin, take a needed break from your workout session. Exercise releases endorphins and increases circulation to your muscles, effectively relieving tension and giving you that workout “high.” And the best part? Those good feelings don’t dissipate right away, so you will be left feeling relaxed and better able to manage the stresses of daily life even hours after your workout.

Working out is something everyone can do—all you need it is a little push. So next time you feel yourself about to hit a wall, practice these steps to greater motivation and get your head in the game. Before you know it you’ll be ready to hit the ground running—literally. Order that perfect pair of shoes online (it’s as easy as a quick search for “running shoes charlotte nc,” or wherever you may be from) and get moving!

Chris Miller is a professional writer, blogger, and English grammar enthusiast. Chris enjoys learning about new health products, procedures, and ideas.