A Note From Joe on Motivation

Motivation is often the biggest challenge for people wanting to get fitter and healthier. A couple of the most common questions people ask me are "how can I get motivated?" and "how do you stay motivated all year round?"

The truth is, there are lots of days when I struggle with motivation too. I have days where I can't be bothered to do anything and want to lay on a sofa eating ice cream all day. What I do have though is discipline, and I make small daily lifestyle choices that, after a while, form good habits. Most importantly, I constantly remind myself WHY I exercise.

I'm 36 years old this September and I'm the fittest and healthiest I've ever been. My motivation to exercise isn't to be lean, that's just a side effect of my lifestyle choices. What truly motivates me to exercise is my mental health. I exercise to feel good. I want to feel happy and energised, have patience with my kids, and feel driven and inspired to work hard everyday. This all comes from 3 things: sleep, movement and nutrition.

It can feel quite scary and complicated or confusing, but really it's just about making small daily choices and being consistent. I still enjoy a chocolate bar and a gin & tonic, but I stay active everyday and I mainly cook healthy food at home.

So my main message today is: try to shift your mindset from being just about body weight, fat loss or body image and focus on your mental health. When you do that, you'll realise what exercise and healthy food really is about. Then when you live that lifestyle for long enough, you will become stronger, leaner, fitter, healthier and happier.

And when you do have one of those days when you are struggling for motivation, always remind yourself that you will never regret a workout and always feel better afterwards.

Have a great week,

Love Joe x