Diving headfirst into a health and fitness journey can be exhilarating, yet challenging. Maintaining the motivation to stick with it is often the most difficult part.
In fact, LifeHack.org reveals that a staggering 90% of people who join the gym drop out within the first three months.
So, what sets apart those who persevere? It’s not just sheer willpower or a rigid diet plan: it’s their ability to find methods to stay motivated. One surprisingly effective strategy involves using photos on your fitness journey.
Here’s how harnessing this visual tool can transform your workout routine and keep you inspired in the long term.
Curate Your Personal Fitness Inspiration Board
Start your fitness journey by curating a personal fitness inspiration board. This could be a virtual collage of photos, or even images stuck on a bulletin board.
The key is to fill it with pictures that speak to your goals, motivate you to push harder, and remind you why you started this journey in the first place.
Capture Progress: Before and After Photos
Capturing your progress using before-and-after photos can be a great way to visualize the changes your body is undergoing. However, if used improperly, these snapshots could create unrealistic expectations or lead to unnecessary self-criticism.
It’s essential to remember that everyone’s fitness journey is unique and that comparing our own progress to others’ can hinder our motivation rather than inspire us.
Create a Photo Book Showing Your Fitness Adventures and Achievements
Another way to stay motivated is to print your photos in a stylish photo book and make it your fitness journey diary. Remember, each picture is worth a thousand words and showcases your unique achievements and adventures.
Carrying it around not only keeps you inspired but also serves as tangible proof of the incredible work you’ve put into your healthy lifestyle change.
Stay Motivated With Social Media: Health and Fitness Influencers to Follow
For a dose of workout inspiration, follow health and fitness influencers on social media. These individuals often share photos of their workouts, healthy meals, and hard-earned results, offering tangible proof that following a fitness plan can yield dramatic improvements.
But be sure to follow only influencers you know you can trust! Otherwise, you may be comparing yourself to unrealistic standards or edited photos, which can significantly harm your fitness journey.
Draw Inspiration from Other’s Fitness Journey Pictures
Scanning through images of others’ fitness journeys can really ignite your own motivation. For example, viewing before-and-after shots of someone who achieved their fitness goals might just be the push you need.
You should not compare yourself but rather draw motivation, realizing that if they can do it, so can you!
Use Food Photography to Track and Improve Your Diet
Taking photos of your meals can be an effective way to monitor your daily food intake. By visually documenting your diet, you create a real-time food diary that’s honest and easy to assess.
In the long run, this aids in identifying dietary gaps and making necessary substitutions or adjustments, allowing you to stay on track with your fitness goals.
Use Photos To Support Your Motivation Language
Photos can play a pivotal role in sustaining your motivational language on your fitness journey. For example, popular fitness platform Peloton has identified five primary motivation languages: Having Fun, Achieving Goals, Building Community, Positive Affirmations, and Tough Love.
By choosing and using images that represent these aspects of motivation, each individual can create a personalized visual reinforcement for their unique motivational needs.
Make Achievements More Memorable With a Selfie
Capturing your fitness achievements with a selfie is a fantastic way to stay motivated. For instance, if you hit a new personal best at the gym, or you complete a longer-than-usual run, snap a quick photo of yourself looking triumphant.
Over time, these pictures serve as visual reminders of your progress and successes, adding an extra layer of tangibility to your fitness journey.