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Working out almost always feels difficult. It's about doing it anyway.
By Hannah Kern — Written on Feb 08, 2018
Getting in shape is a personal goal that pretty much every person has at some point in their life, and I'm positive I'm not the only one constantly searching for inspirational fitness motivation quotes and routines. And as great as it is to be fit and be able to run a mile effortlessly, getting to that point can be a total struggle.
Most health professionals recommend that we get about 30 minutes of physical exercise every day. Even just 15 minutes of physical activity can increase our lifespan by 3 years and cut our chances of getting cancer by 10 percent.
Exercising isn't only good for our bodies and our physical health, it always does wonders for our mental health.
During my freshman year of college, I went to the gym about 4 times a week and I cannot begin to explain how good it made me feel. I always felt my best after finishing a workout. During the winter months when my seasonal depression usually hits me the hardest, going to the gym and focusing on my fitness is what got me through those difficult months.
It's been over a year since that time, and somehow I stepped away from that routine and I haven't been going to the gym at all. It's not easy, right? But why is that?
The most common answer might be not having the time. Whether it be work, school, or family obligations, most people just don't believe they have the extra time to fit in a workout.
However, the truth is that it's not having a busy schedule that keeps people from working out. What it really comes down to is confidence.
Think about it like this: the more confidence you have in yourself and your ability to do something, the more likely you are to do it and do it well, right?
This concept can apply to a lot of things: relationships, school, jobs, education, and of course, exercise. We as human beings are more prone to cycling, running, doing yoga, or any type of exercise if we believe that we'll be good at it.
But believing in ourselves isn't always easy, trust me. Gyms are already intimidating enough, especially when you're walking into one for the first time and it seems like everyone around you knows what they're doing.
Not being good at something or not believing you're going to be successful at something is enough to make any person want to give up. Human beings are impatient and want results immediately. But guess what — having patience is the only thing that's going to get you to meeting your goal. It's OK to not be good at something the first few times you do it. Practice is what helps you to gain that confidence and get better at whatever it is you want to do.
Having that self-confidence is what's going to prevent you from giving up. If you're confident in yourself and believe that you're going to get better, you will get results.
If you're still feeling unmotivated or scared to start working out, here are 27 fitness motivation quotes that will push you to achieve your fitness goals.
1. Find an opportunity to become better every day.
"It's not about being the best, it's about being better than you were yesterday."
2. Make sure you're working out for YOU and not for anyone else.
"It's not about having abs, being skinny, ripped, curvy, or even healthy. It's about being the best version of you."
3. PSA: That magazine cover is a lie. The secret? Photoshop.
"You will never look like the girl in the magazine. The girl in the magazine doesn't even look like the girl in the magazine."
4. Be the 30%.
"70% of people that start a fitness plan quit. Except you. Not this time."
5. Don't quit just because it's difficult.
"If running is difficult, run more. This lesson applies to anything."
6. Picture every workout as a new opportunity to get better.
"Today I get to workout."
7. Don't quit on yourself.
"The only bad workout is the one you don't do."
8. Let your stress and frustration be your fuel.
"On good day I workout, on bad days I workout harder."
9. Challenges = change.
"If it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you."
10. You are in control of your own results.
"Nothing will work unless you do."
11. It's all worth it in the end.
"Exercise is like telling your body 'you're gonna hate me for this, but you'll thank me later.'"
12. Regret will only make you feel weaker.
"Suffer the pain of discipline or suffer the pain of regret."
13. Everyone has a "Day 1."
"When you're at the gym feeling like you'll never be one of those people who look like they've been at it their entire lives, remember that they all started somewhere."
14. Do the things that no one thought you could do.
"Of course it's hard. It's supposed to be hard. If it was easy, everybody would do it. Hard is what makes it great."
15. If it hurts, you're doing it right.
"Get comfortable with being uncomfortable."
16. It's through your mistakes that you'll find success.
"If you don't make mistakes, you aren't really trying."
17. Don't let yourself be defeated by yourself.
"Obstacles can't stop you. Problems can't stop you. People can't stop you. Only YOU can stop you."
18. If you believe in yourself, the things that scare you won't seem so scary.
"Most obstacles melt away when we make up our minds to walk boldly through them."
19. You have to struggle to find your own strength.
"It doesn't get easier, you just get better."
20. Sometimes all you need is a fierce playlist.
"To keep going; make a 45 minute long playlist and don't stop until it does."
21. The choice is yours.
"It's actually pretty simple. Either you do it, or you don't."
22. We ALL want to make our ex jealous.
"I got over my ex by hitting the gym and getting hotter than I've ever been."
23. Again, self-confidence is KEY.
"Strength has nothing to do with external performance. It has everything to do with internal belief."
24. Love the old you, but be excited for the NEW you.
"I'm working on a new me. Not because the old me is bad, but because the old me can improve."
25. How far do you think you can go?
"Take pride in how far you have come, have faith in how far you can go."
26. When you feel like giving up, think about the reason why you even started.
"Remember why you started."
27. Don't wait until tomorrow, because when it comes, you'll say the same thing you did yesterday, and nothing will change.
"A year from now, you'll wish you had started today."
I believe in you!
If you’re looking for a little inspiration, we’ve got the best quotes to share and savor. For quotes from the most inspiring celebs, activists, and poets, look no further! You might even find the quote that motivates the best parts of your life (and love!) forever.
Hannah Kern is an avid writer with a passion for delving deep into interpersonal relationships. When she isn’t researching new information for YourTango, you can find her making frappucinos at Starbucks or planning her next escape to the mountains. For more, follow her on Instagram.