Need Motivation? Four Influencers on Looking Back at Their Progress

We asked fitness influencers for their New Year’s resolutions and where they find motivation when they feel like giving up.

Have you set any New Year’s resolutions? Whether it’s a fitness-related resolution (run a marathon, get a six-pack), or another life goal (get a new job, learn a new language), setting goals is a great way to push ourselves to be better. But oftentimes, we run out of steam soon after we start.

We asked a few fitness influencers to share their 2018 resolutions, and some tips for the moments when motivation is lacking or they feel like quitting.

Courtesy of Karin Hart

Karin Hart
Instagram: @karinhart / @golf.fitness.babe2018 resolution(s): My New Year’s resolution comes in three parts: 1) Live a balanced life; 2) Work smarter, not harder; 3) Take time for the things that you love.
What do you do when you feel discouraged, or lack motivation? When I am discouraged, I think of how hard I worked to get to where I am, and if I worked so hard all that time, why would I give up and quit now when I am so close to accomplishing my goals? You’ve always got to keep going and moving forward! I like to dream big and stay motivated by setting goals for myself. I break down my big goals into smaller more attainable goals so I feel more accomplished each step of the way.

Photo credit: Real David Art

Amanda Chu
Instagram: @xoamanda_jadexo2018 resolution(s): To continue to push myself to be the best that I can and to become an IFBB Bikini Pro.
Where do you find motivation when you feel like quitting? When I am feeling unmotivated, I remind myself how hard I have worked to be where I am and that I have gone too far to give up!

Courtesy of Kayla Samieenejad

Kayla Samieenejad
Instagram: @KaylaSamiee2018 resolution(s): Since I will be graduating in May, my 2018 resolution is to have a job lined up straight out of university. Another goal is to shift to a 100 percent plant-based diet! I’ve been making the cuts more and more and hope to do it entirely by 2018.
What do you do when you feel like quitting, or lack motivation? I’ve totally been there, everybody has! It’s normal. One thing I always think to myself when I feel a lack of motivation is how far I have come and that what I do at the present moment will affect me in the future. Even on my laziest day, I will manage to get to the gym. Whether I can only give it 50 percent or 75 percent, it’s still better than zero percent! Another thing I like to do for motivation is to discover new workouts. Trying something new is a great way to keep your workouts fresh and challenging!

Courtesy of Marta Mielczarska

Marta Mielczarska
Instagram: @martamielczarskaa
2018 resolution(s): I love making goals. They keep me motivated, so I usually come up with new resolutions every few weeks/month. I have a few resolutions for 2018 and they are all related to different topics! I want to go back to Poland to see my family. (I have not been back in about two years and it is the longest I have not seen my family and friends.) I want to do another bodybuilding competition. I want to visit Bali and attend EDC and Coachella festivals. Also, I plan on being accepted to university and finishing my degree.
What do you say to yourself when you feel like quitting, or lack motivation? We are all human beings and it is normal to not feel well sometimes. I tell myself I did not come this far to stop or quit. The feeling of having things accomplished is the best feeling you can have, so when I feel like quitting I am thinking how I will feel if I actually finish!

Photo credit (hero): oneinchpunch, Thinkstock