You may recall from my last fitness post that I recently started the Love by Lynn Love HIIT Body Guide. It’s a 4-week at-home workout guide by my friend Sara and I planned to finish it a couple weeks ago. Turns out, it is really hard. In a good way, but still challenging, especially if you’re just starting to work out. I kinda failed with my first attempt so I’m back at it again and sharing 5 things I learned that will help me finish the full guide this next time around.

Whether you’re following a specific workout guide like Sara’s, Kayla’s BBG program, or just getting going with a new workout routine, I think you’ll find these tips to be helpful in mastering the motivation game.

1.Keep a notebook (or app) of how many reps you can do so you can focus on meeting/beating that number each time. This number is yours and the best way to measure strength and improvement over time. Don’t worry if you’re not doing as many reps as the workout calls for. You’ll get there.

2. Get the latest Imagine Dragons album, Evolve (or any new album with good, upbeat workout tunes). I can’t get enough of these songs: Whatever it Takes, Thunder and Believer. They make me want to workout every time I hear them.

3. Do feared things first. I hate leg day. It’s always the hardest for me. If my workout guide says to do legs on day 4, I always do them on day 1, just so I can get them out of the way for the week. Even within a given workout I’ll switch up the exercises to do the hardest ones first (i.e., switch lunges). If I don’t play these mind games, I’ll end up procrastinating or skipping my workout altogether.

4. Make an appt with yourself to workout at the same time each day. Consistency is your biggest enemy when it comes to following a new workout regimen. Commit and show up no matter what. Make it a priority and make the decision once so you don’t have to decide each day when, where or how long you’re going to work out.

5. Always make your workout plan work for you. If it’s not personalized, why do it? For example, with Love by Lynn’s guide, I only do 2 circuit rounds to start. This gives me a goal to work toward (eventually aiming to do 4 circuits per workout) without making me feel like a failure for not doing all 4. Likewise, I try to aim for 30 min with each workout, but some days I’m done after 25 min. Either way, it’s working for me.

Remember to stay focused on your goals. When you start seeing obstacles, it means you’ve stopped believing you can actually achieve your goals. So take a second to revisit them, tweak and improve your plan, and get excited about the results you’re working toward.

What keeps you motivated to work out? I’d love to know!

SHOP MY LOOK

j.crew top {on sale!} | lululemon leggings | puma shoes c/o gordamns {love this pair} | beats wireless headphones | fitbit blaze + white band

Photos by Paige Nicholle.