Motivation runs out. A real reason doesn't. How to find the reason behind your training and use it on the hard days.
Contents · 5 sections · 2 min
What does "find your why" actually mean?
It means knowing the real reason you're doing this. "I want to lose weight" is a surface reason. Ask why again. Maybe it's to keep up with your kids, to feel in control, to get out of your own head. That deeper reason is your why.
Why does a strong why matter more than motivation?
Motivation is a spark; your why is the fuel. On the mornings when you don't want to get up, a spark won't help. Remembering exactly why you started will.
How do you find your why?
Ask yourself "why does this matter to me?" and answer honestly. Then ask "why?" about that answer, three or four times. Stop when you hit something that makes you feel it in your chest. That's the one.
How do you use your why on the hard days?
Make it visible. Write it on your phone's lock screen, on a note by the door, on the mirror. When you want to skip, read it. For a lot of us at LIT, the why is bigger than fitness: fighting depression, beating anxiety, finding some peace. Training is one way we fight for that.
What if your why changes?
That's normal. The reason you started might not be the reason you stay. Check in with yourself every few months and update it. A why that's true today will carry you further than one that was true a year ago.
Training can be a real help with mental health, but it isn't treatment, and this isn't medical advice. If you're struggling, talk to a professional. In the US you can call or text 988, any time.
Topics
- find your why
- motivation to work out
- purpose
- reasons to keep going
- intrinsic motivation
- discipline
Common questions
Still wondering? Answered from the piece itself.
What's an example of a good "why"?
One that's personal and about who you want to be, like "to be present and strong for my family" or "to prove to myself I don't quit."
What if I can't think of a why?
Start training anyway and pay attention to how you feel afterwards. Often the reason shows up once you're in it.
Is it okay if my why is about appearance?
Yes, any honest reason is a start. Reasons about how you feel and who you are tend to last longer, so look for those underneath.
How often should I remind myself of my why?
Whenever you're tempted to skip. Keeping it somewhere you'll see daily makes that easy.
