Every now and then, people pledge to work on their health and fitness. They set goals, timelines, and gleefully craft action steps. There’s excitement and spring in the step! Everything seems sorted and in place. Hooray! Motivation is in the air!

 

Alas, the kick and drive fades away, as sublimely as camphor on a plate. Motivation seems indirectly proportional to time. The initial enthusiasm and interest gives way to humdrum lacklustre. People lose steam and feel uninspired to take action. Being motivated is a feeling, and all feelings come and go like clouds. Few people realize that loss of motivation is a very normal phenomenon. Sadly, they slide over to the other end of the spectrum. They begin to feel overwhelmed by the roadblocks and feel depleted and soon the steps to their goal become boring and dull. They end up labelling themselves and ultimately give up saying that they are not cut out for diets, gym, running, swimming, fat loss etc. The good news is that people need not fall prey to the downward spiral in motivation. Wisdom lies in realizing that motivation can be and needs to be recreated and sustained through various means.

A simple step is to reach for a friend or someone to talk to. Talking and being with people immediately releases oxytocin. Oxytocin is a hormone responsible for many processes in the body. Called as the “bonding chemical”, it instantly rejuvenates the mind and makes people feel better.

“Together we can do so much”, said Helen Keller. These immortal words are relevant in organizations, families and in workouts too.

Having a training buddy can eliminate problems of inconsistency and lack of motivation. Research states that people are two times more likely to stick to their fitness regime with a partner. The challenge is in finding the right one. Your workout buddy should not discourage your efforts or hold you back from maximum efforts.  A training partner helps push through the pain and achieve things you never thought you could do! Having a training buddy is a symbiotic relationship. You can build each other up, and hold each other accountable and give truthful feedback. The next time you need motivation, connect to another human being – it works!

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Lata Rajan
Senior Faculty (Exercise Science)
K11 Academy of Fitness Sciences
by
Fitness Icon Kaizzad Capadia