8 Tips to Maintain Your Motivation this Fall

The beginning of September is an exciting time of year with the start of school, sports, and extracurriculars. After the summer of vacations and adventures, routines are suddenly appealing once again. Despite high expectations of starting new things as the calendar turns to September, I find that it takes a few weeks until the daily rhythm sets in. That’s the ideal time to add things to your routine, and I have some tips to help you maintain your motivation to get (and keep) going. 

It’s Okay to Start “Late”

We are so excited to start new habits this time of year and expect everything to “get back to normal” the day after Labour Day. Unfortunately, that can take some time. There are more meetings now that your co-workers are back from holidays, getting used to new sports or activity schedules (there are how many practices a week!?), and gradual entry schedules for school, daycare, etc. These things happen every year but still seem to take us by surprise and can damper the excitement you had for a September routine. 

Getting back to fitness is a huge September goal for many people, and I’ve learned over the past eight or so years to wait until later in the month to offer new workshops, classes, etc. It takes that long to settle into work, school, and the routines that come with them. As the weather changes, there are also fewer last-minute BBQs or trips to the lake to enjoy the last of the summer sun. 

When things feel “normal” again, it is finally your turn! Women especially feel a lot of stress in September to get the family organized again, and even though my three are all off to university, I still feel like I have to get my ducks in a row. While this is important “work”, remember that you are a better parent, spouse, friend, and co-worker when you take care of yourself. When you exercise, you reduce stress and anxiety, feel happier, have fewer aches and pains, sleep better, and even be more positive. 

Maintain Your Motivation for Those Fall Goals 

It’s okay to start your September goals once life feels calmer. But if you’re feeling disappointed that you didn’t start those goals on September 1st or the day the kids went back to school, I have some ideas on how to get the feeling back and maintain your motivation.

1. Remember it’s normal. This happens every year to almost all of us. Even me. Starting “late” is better than not starting at all.
2. Take small steps. If you used to go to the gym five days a week before the summer but dropped down to two for July and August, try going back three times a week at first. Work back up to five days over several weeks. 
3. Use accountability. When you’re feeling unmotivated, having something to show up to is ideal. Join a class, group, or new activity that you need to learn. Inviting a friend helps, too! 
4. Switch things up. Add variety to keep you interested by tweaking what you usually do or doing something new altogether. Perhaps you used to run but can’t get excited about it right now. Try trail running, do sprints, join a running group, or try using a running app to lead you through a run.
5. Sign up for an event. Look for an event related to your activity and sign up for it. Running is an easy example, but search for conferences, pop-up classes, or doing a class at a different location or studio. 
6. Join a challenge. Find a short challenge to keep you accountable alongside the group. There are free and paid challenges and they can range from a few days to a month. Most of these include portions you do on your own with some online or in-person work/check-ins. These are great to learn something new, develop new habits, and get support from a coach and the group. 
7. Don’t over-commit. This is my biggest tip! Only you can know what your capacity is, and everyone has different abilities with different life stages or challenges. Be realistic! Comparing yourself to someone else (even your past self) will only deter you. I know that I do a lot more exercise than most people, but it’s both my career and hobby. When I look back ten years ago, however, I was doing even more. I was teaching aerobics and spin while also training for marathons. It was normal for me then and my body was conditioned for it. I know that I couldn’t keep the same pace today. That’s okay! 
8. Keep going. Routines and challenges are great but know that you will miss a day and that doesn’t mean you failed. When life happens and you or your kid gets sick, work has a crisis, or the neighbour backs into your car, it’s okay to take a day off. If getting back into fitness is more challenging than you thought, it can feel like a lot at first. Just keep going. Small steps, small changes, and you will get there.

When you’re adding more fitness to your routine, it might feel like a lot at first. Listen to your body, and build up to where you want to be. That way, your body and mind will both be ready for it. Three months from now when you are doing Pilates every other day it will feel normal, and you won’t even remember missing a day or week back in September. Then you’ll add in weight training or do two activities in a day, and it will be slightly easier. Staying active isn’t a race, but a way of life and mindset. You can do it, no matter when you start. 

Looking for a Challenge?

Join The Pilates Cure, a weeklong challenge that will get you back to the basics of Pilates and teach you how to do it on your own wherever you are. It will also help you keep moving forward, pain free. Get on the waitlist for Fall 2022, and discover my cure: Pilates! 

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