To become "motivated". Motivation and the drivers behind achieving.

MOTIVATION.. It is often a term we use and I personally hear from many clients, how they just can’t seem to find the motivation. The fitfluencers are somewhat right when they say that motivation is just a feeling.

And yes, they are correct that you do need consistency and some discipline to achieve a goal. Not just in fitness but in life in general.

However, what really motivates us is very personal and very individual.

If we look back at studies and the actual science of "motivation" we often see 2 types of why someone is motivated to do what they do, or what they want to achieve:

Intrinsic

Intrinsic motivation comes from personal satisfaction of doing a given activity because you personally enjoy it.

Extrinsic

Extrinsic motivation is when you are motivated by a certain goal or external reward.

Some individuals might be motivated by both.

Studies have shown that individuals that are motivated intrinsically will have a higher adherence, which in turn = more consistent. This is one of the reasons why enjoyment factor is important during training.

In sum, large numbers of individuals are either unmotivated or not sufficiently motivated to be physically active, or are motivated by types of externally-driven motivation that may not lead to sustained activity.

Teixeira et al.

If we take a look at negative motivational drivers and positive motivational drivers.

Negative- The intention behind wanting to achieve a certain goal is negative e.g external validation or striving to achieve a "revenge body" or from past trauma.

Positive- Is where you see the benefits of achieving a certain goal and your intensions are not from a traumatic response. They are from a positive response to change and achieve for yourself and overall well-being.

Whilst are negative emotions or drivers will increase your motivation to achieve a certain goal. Is this really sustainable ? and is this creating a healthy relationship with training and exercise and your body?. This can also add pressure to achieving an end result, which for some individuals might not work in terms of achieving a specific goal.

Whilst a negative emotion/ situation might drive you in the first instance. If we as individuals don't achieve this particular goal. Where does that leave us? Does that mean we have failed and then result in a negative look on ourselves.

If we use positive motivators where we show ourselves compassion and understanding. It will not only help us achieve a desired goal but also enhance our relationship with training/ exercise and our body.

Ultimately what drives us is personal to the individual. Consistency replaces our motivation. Our own motivation always comes down to our why and the intention behind this. In order to have a good relationship with our body and exercise negative responses would not be what I would recommend for sustainability and longevity in your fitness journey.

References:

Exercise, physical activity, and self-determination theory: a systematic review, Teixeira et al.

The Dark Side of Motivational Practices in Exercise Professionals: Mediators of Controlling Strategies, Raposo et al.

Motivation Levels and Goals for the Practice of Physical Exercise in Five Different Modalities: A Correspondence Analysis, Borges et al.