Maybe you’re sick of the motivational quotes you see everywhere these days- on Facebook, tank tops, bumper stickers, water bottles. Maybe you roll your eyes at them. Or maybe you love them. I kind of love them…that’s probably not a big surprise. (Even if you hate them, I’m willing to bet that secretly, deep down inside there’s a motivational quote out there that gets to you.)

 

These kinds of quotes can be motivating, though. Like for real. Like lounging around in pajamas and making excuses not to exercise and seeing a quote about making excuses not to exercise and getting your butt moving.

Or if you’re not an exercise person (yet) then these kinds of quotes can at least plant seeds. Seeds that will hopefully lay the groundwork for your future exercise-person-hood. As a former exercise skeptic (hater) I know that the biggest key to losing weight, getting healthier, being more active is changing your mindset.

I’ve gathered just a few of my favorites here. On a different day I’d probably have a whole different list, but for today these are the ones that popped into my head. So, scroll through, see if any of them resonate with you, and don’t be surprised if you’re at least a little bit inspired by the end of the list…

10 of my Favorite Fitness Quotes

This one’s a little long, but I love it. I actually paused a workout I was doing to write it down. After rewinding several times I think I got it right. Autumn Calabrese (from 21 Day Fix, Country Heat, 80 Day Obsession, etc.) can be very motivating. In a very no-nonsense kinda way. When she said this, I felt it. It’s not easy. It is hard work. But it is so worth it. And…you can do anything for 60 seconds.

Comparison can surely suck the wind out of your sails in no time if you’re not careful. Fitness cannot be about comparison. You start where you are, you gauge your progress, you feel proud of your accomplishments. It’s your growth that matters. It’s about doing things you thought you couldn’t do, trying new things, and becoming the best version of you.

 

How crazy true is this? I probably always knew the food part on some level, but I didn’t learn the exercise part until I was 35. Exercise makes you happy! It might make you grumble at first, you might feel uncomfortable, but it will no doubt boost your mood. And you don’t have to be depressed to get that benefit. It’s good for everyone. Making it part of your everyday life? The results can be amazing. (The mind results, not just the physical ones!)

Exercise can also boost your self-esteem tremendously. Every time you check off that workout you get a sense of accomplishment. When you finish a workout program, do a pushup for the first time, run a mile, lift more weight…these are all automatic self-esteem boosters. You’re doing things to make you feel proud of yourself. You’ve probably heard the argument about how important it is to make your bed in the morning? If making your bed gives you a boost, imagine what getting an awesome (or even half-hearted) workout done can do!

 

We have all made those resolutions and promises when we were feeling really inspired by someone else or really sick and tired of our own state of affairs. But then…that mood goes away and with it go our resolutions and promises. Don’t let that happen! Commitment means staying with those goals. Every. Damn. Day. Regardless of your mood. (You’ll be glad you did!)

I feel like this one should be tattoed on my forehead. My husband said this for years. Years! And I watched him live it for years. I watched him meet and set goals, get in amazing shape, feel so much happier, find such joy in exercise. Finally, I started to live it and it changed my life. You have to make it a priority. Exercise can’t be something you squeeze in on days that it works for you. It has to be a priority; your health has to be a priority; your mood has to be a priority. Especially if you have never been an exercise person. Don’t make it easy for your newly established good habits to slip away.

 

We are going to have crappy days. We’re going to feel discouraged. There are going to be things you might not be able to do. Failure happens. You’ll miss a day, you’ll pig out on pizza and ice cream. But if you keep showing up you will see changes. You will feel changes. It is in showing up over time, consistency, that you get the real, lasting results. Don’t worry about perfect. Just keep showing up.

I love this one because once you learn it, it’s easier to continue along your fitness path. Things are going to come up. Life happens. Don’t throw in the towel because your kids get the stomach bug or you get a bad cold or you get fired or you have back-to-back business trips. Making a life change isn’t about making a change when things are perfect. When is the time really just right? When does life really “calm down”? This is your path. Make it work.

I feel a little ridiculous even saying “badass” to tell you the truth. But at the same time, I love it. And I love this quote 1- because once I changed my mindset from wanting to be skinny to wanting to be healthy and strong is when I finally lost weight and 2- becoming a “fit badass” really means doing hard things, being tough, pushing yourself, and doing things you thought you couldn’t do. It’s fun to feel like a badass after a really hard workout even if you then hop into your old minivan and talk about playdates.

This one is great for a few reasons. You might very well suck at whatever exercise you choose to try. That doesn’t matter. You might run painfully slow. Your husband might walk faster than you run. Your 6-year-old might walk faster than you run. It doesn’t matter. You might not be able to use weights yet. You might use soup cans. Or nothing. It doesn’t matter. You start where you are, you do your thing, you just go. Put your blinders on; don’t look at what other people are doing. And you just keep going. You stick with it. It’s the sticking with it that counts.

Motivation is like bathing…

And remember, motivation is like bathing. You should do it daily. (Or at least regularly!)

See…I kinda sorta snuck another motivational quote in there!

Don’t beat yourself up if you start feeling unmotivated. That’s natural. Just do something to get motivated again. Read a book (check out my favorite personal development books in this post– they might help). Join a challenge group. Find a workout buddy. Listen to podcasts. Write motivational quotes on post-its and stick them up all over your house. Who cares if you get made fun of?

And all this motivational stuff? It’s not just good for exercise and weight loss and fitness goals. Apply it to your other goals, too, and start stretching in all areas of your life.

What is your favorite motivational quote? I’d love to hear it!!

 

 

 

 

 

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P.P.S. Share this with someone who could use a little nudge…or someone you want to rope into your next goal 🙂