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Home » Exercise Programs » Don’t become one of the 50 percent – Idaho State Journal

Here is a startling statistic: About 50 percent of those beginning an exercise program will quit within six months. This isnt surprising, because if you are like me, motivation to keep going is tough. There are days where all I want to do is park my backside on the couch, watch a bunch of movies and eat a bag of Boom Chicka Pop. (If you dont know what Boom Chicka Pop is, it is a sweet and salty kettle corn that will take you to your happy place.)

One of the most influential factors when beginning an exercise program is whether or not you see yourself capable of doing exercise or eating differently. The more capable you see yourself, the more likely you will start a program. For example, if you see yourself having the ability to attend an exercise class, you are more likely to take that first step to give it a go.

The opposite holds true if someone does not see themselves as being able to. When you add a qualified instructor to guide you, the odds that you will continue as well as exploring other fitness avenues will increase.

The next step in your motivating yourself to continue your program is what is called your self-efficacy, which is the belief that you will succeed in certain situations or tasks.

This is where having a professional, such as a personal trainer, dietician or health coach, encouraging you is worth the investment. A professional will design exercise and nutrition programs that will not only fit your needs, but allow you the successes to achieve your desired results. They also understand and recognize how quickly you will be able to move forward.

For example, in the first four to five weeks of a new program, nutrition is often the most difficult aspect to grasp. Thus when discussing nutrition, your successes will be celebrated and they will help you with small adjustments to continue moving forward.

Your self-efficacy, and in turn, your success in a fitness program, is dependent upon how you set your goals. Setting goals, however, can be difficult. You may want to lose weight or get stronger. How do you measure such goals? You have to be SMART.

SMART is an acronym for goal setting, Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely, that provides guidelines to take what can be an elusive task to a manageable level.

When goals are set in such a manner, you succeed and in turn enhance your self-efficacy and consequently increasing your motivation, creating a cycle that cant be beat. If you are having trouble setting your SMART goals, this is another excellent reason to hire a professional whose job is to help you succeed.

The next big motivator to continue a fitness program is support and social interaction. Regardless of the task at hand, when you have support from family, friends and professionals, your desire to succeed will increase. Those supporting you should be your biggest fans and be with you every step of the way. You can also find support in group classes or training with a partner.

When you dont believe you have the above-mentioned characteristics, a plethora of excuses can take center stage and hold you back. Excuses such as not enough time, cant afford it, too tired, body aches, etc., are red flags that you may need the help of a trainer or health coach to help you find those deeply hidden motivating factors. These are your intrinsic motivators.

Extrinsic motivation is an external form of motivation, whereas intrinsic is an internal motivation. For example, losing weight to look good at your class reunion or wedding are extrinsic motivators verses improving your overall health and the desire to live a long life are intrinsic motivators.

The problem with extrinsic motivators is they are often short-lived, i.e. the class reunion, and are reliant upon others acceptance, none of which are long term. Intrinsic motivation, on the other hand, usually leads to permanent behavioral changes the changes that will lead to that long, healthy life.

Whether you are just starting a fitness program or have been rolling for some time, to avoid being in the 50 percent that quit, your motivation must be originating from the right places. By the way, an occasional bag of Boom Chicka Pop wont be your downfall. Every now and then, we just need to go to our happy place.

Sherrie Hebert is a certified Personal Trainer and Pilates mat and equipment Instructor. She teaches and trains at Golds Gym of Pocatello and owns Performance Pilates & Personal Training. Contact her at 208-478-2433 or sherriehebert@gmail.com for all your fitness needs. Be sure to visit her Facebook page, PerformancePilatesAndPT.

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Don't become one of the 50 percent - Idaho State Journal

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Home » Exercise Programs » Don’t become one of the 50 percent – Idaho State Journal