Ready to commit to a new you? Motivation and inspirational fitness quotes are a great way to stick to your goals and remember why you’re eating healthy and sticking to a workout program. It’s all worth it! Use these quotes to take your fitness to the next level!
*Disclosure: I like to recommend my favorite books and products, based on my experience as a Certified Personal Trainer. Some of the links are affiliate links, which means I receive a commission if you click through and make a purchase. There is no additional charge to you.
Motivational quotes
There’s nothing like that feeling after a hard workout. You know what I mean. You’ve felt it before. Now, use these motivational quotes to feel that way all the time! When you’re just not feeling like working out, get inspired!
1. Create a positive mindset
When it comes to fitness, mindset is a huge piece of the puzzle. Brian Grasso, the author of Mindset Matters Most, says that Mindset = “the stories you tell yourself, about yourself.” So maybe you’ve told yourself that you “never stick to a program” or “you don’t have time” or “you never keep the weight off.” Guess what? If these are the things you believe about yourself, there is a good chance that they’ll continue to be true.
Think of your mindset as a muscle that needs strengthening just as much as your glutes!
These are the components of a strong mindset:
- Written words that explain why you’re starting a new workout.
- Set realistic goals that focus on habits, not results.
- Find an awesome, 3-word mantra.
Keep in mind that step backs or stumbles are very much a part of the process so be patient and ready to give yourself grace, a little pep talk and then get back on that horse. Before you start a new fitness program, think HARD about WHY you are doing this and write it down. For real. There is real power in putting pen to paper.
Maybe it’s to have more energy with your kids, or you need to get your blood pressure under control, or you want to get out of bed without the dreaded aches and pains that seem to creep up as you age. There’s a reason. Write it down.
Then set some REALISTIC goals. For example, spending 1-2 hours in the gym, six days a week at 5 AM is probably not realistic.
Also, set your goals around new habits you’re trying to create. Instead, tell yourself, “I will make it to the gym 3 days per week” rather than focusing on the outcome, like “I want to lose 30 pounds.”
Lastly, find yourself an awesome mantra that speaks to you being the kick-ass person that you are so that when you start doubting yourself, you have a go-to positive message to shut that little inner negative voice up.
My favorite thing to tell myself when my pity party starts or I start in with the self-doubt is simple. I tell myself, “You ARE strong.”
I like the mantra to be three words. There is power in three written little words. Learn how to write your mantra today! They’ll help you stick to a workout and find balance in life.
I’d love to help you find YOUR strong! Are you ready?
2. Find your one thing
One of my favorite self-development books I’ve ever read is Darren Hardy’s “The Compound Effect” because his concept is so simple but SO EFFECTIVE!
When you are ready to make a change in your life, do you try to change too much at once? Most people do. Then, you get overwhelmed. Fail. And quit.
There is no arbitrary number in health. You’ll see many 30, 60 or 90-day fitness challenges out there and while they are AWESOME to keep you on track with a plan, the finish line is not over when the challenge is done. Guess what?! There is no finish line. I hate to break it to you, but taking charge of your health doesn’t have an end date.
Try implementing just one little change at a time. If you need to lose weight, then I recommend choosing only one meal to focus on at a time.
Maybe you have a bad habit of running through Starbucks and grabbing a large latte and pastry for breakfast. Instead of saying “I’m never having Starbucks again,” try maybe just getting a small latte for the first week or two. Plus, make an egg sandwich instead of the pastry. Or, maybe go for three days in the week instead of 5. Slowly, make that meal a meal you feel good about.
Once you’re there, tackle one more thing. See what I’m saying? Yes, this will undoubtedly take longer, BUT you will be much more successful keeping those new habits a part of your life.
Small, consistent daily changes add up to BIG results over time. Be patient.
3. Believe in yourself
Other people’s opinions of you are just that… opinions! They do NOT matter.
You can be whoever you want to be, girlfriend. You be you AND know that you can change your story at any time. Chase those dreams and chase those goals!
4. Always give 100% in the gym
Reality check, here. You can’t rely on motivation alone to be successful. It’s helpful, but it’s not the only thing you need to reach your fitness goals.
There will be MANY days where you don’t want to workout. Heck, there are many days where I don’t want to. That’s where habit and discipline must take over.
If it’s a day where I don’t wanna exercise, then I ask myself what I CAN do. Maybe it’s not the intense HIIT workout I had planned but 30 minutes on the bike or perhaps it’s 30 minutes of yoga or even 10 min of stretching. The point is, be adaptable with your training. JUST MOVE.
Chase the feeling you get AFTER the movement. I bet there’s a good chance you’ll feel pretty good about yourself no matter what you managed to do because you chose not to skip!
5. Try something new like the TRX
There is something so powerful when you try that new thing… work hard at it… and then see yourself improve. I believe that we aren’t living into our full potential if we don’t step outside the box to challenge ourselves every now and again.
There are so many free workout tools to help you get started with a new fitness routine. Whether it’s a commitment to try bodyweight exercises or the TRX, there are videos and fitness trainers eager to help you. Including me! I have lots of videos, fitness tips, and free guides for meal planning, dining out and strengthening your core to help you reach your fitness and nutrition goals.
This is seriously one of my favorite things as a certified personal trainer. I LOVE to see my clients try something they don’t think they can do. Then with grit and determination, they work and work until one day they are doing the unthinkable! The fight is so inspiring!
6. Have fun working out
What I’ve learned in my years in this industry is that if you’re not having fun, then you’re doing it wrong.
Working out should not feel like a chore. There are SO MANY ways to move your body, and none of them are wrong.
I mean it is FUN to hit a tire with all your strength, but it’s also beneficial (and fun… especially with a good audiobook or podcast) to get outside for a brisk walk. We have no excuse not to move. Your life depends on it.
That’s why I put together an online personal training workout program you can do anywhere. If you travel for work, no problem. If you have an at-home gym or go to the gym, you can do these three workouts I send you every week. It uses the TRX and bodyweight exercises.
Remember, don’t be afraid of being a beginner if you’re new to the TRX. Many people in my program are in the same spot, and I have advanced TRX users too. That’s why I love the TRX, and suspension training is my go-to method. It’s easy to modify exercises, and it’s challenging for beginners and advanced fitness levels.
Want to give my online training, STRONG By Emily, a try for FREE?
If I don’t offer your soulmate workout, chances are I can help you find a program, person, class or gym who can!
7. Be consistent in your fitness training
There is no magic pill, shake, or wrap. There is no one perfect diet – Keto, Atkins, Paleo, or macro counting. Starving yourself and over-exercising is a recipe for disaster.
Refer back to the “success takes time” quote.
Consistency is the secret ingredient. Keep showing up for yourself and try to do just a little bit better than you did yesterday and you will go so far.
8. Step outside your comfort zone
A few years ago my husband bought me a mountain bike for my 35th birthday. He and my boys hit the trails together frequently, and I knew that if I didn’t face my fear and get on a bike that I would be left, a lot, which is not what I wanted. I wanted us to be active and to seek adventure together. But, mama had some major comfort zones to step out of.
When I started, I was straight-up terrified. I went verrrrry slow, and my shoulders would be the only thing sore because I was so stiff! But little by little, I pushed myself to do that one thing on the trail that day that terrified me. I went on a women’s only mountain biking retreat where I knew NO ONE, and I stopped doubting myself and started believing.
Putting myself in those uncomfortable situations again and again over these last three years has lead to so much progress and so much pride in myself. Maybe mountain biking isn’t your thing but find something that pushes you out of that comfort zone. As the saying goes, “that’s where the magic happens, my friends.” Make yourself proud!
What’s your favorite quote?