I've been a runner now for almost 15 years and in that time I've been through every up and down when it comes to motivation. I've spent hours in the day coming up with every excuse under the sun why I couldn't run that night:
"It's too cold"
"It's too hot"
"It's too dark"
"I'm too tired"
"My trainers might get wet"
"I might get abducted by aliens"
Actually the simple fact was, quite simply, there was no excuse.
During a particularly rubbish spell of running (or not running as was closer to the truth) I started to have a good think about what motivated me. Now don't get me wrong, everyone is different but for me it was reward. Very superficial I know but that was the truth.
I began by rewarding myself with food. Not the brightest idea I know. After almost every run I began to do undo all of my hard work, chomping on chocolate when I returned hot and sweaty and feeling very proud of myself. (True story that!) Soon after realising I was gaining pounds quicker than I was losing them I started to think about pounds in terms of money rather than weight, and that's when the Jar of Joy was born.
For every run or workout I do I add £1.00 to the jar. If I've found it particularly difficult to get motivated but I do it anyway then I put £2.00 in the jar. Just looking at the money build is motivation to keep going, knowing that when the jar is full or after a few months I can treat myself to something lovely. (Usually for me that treat is running related as that's just how I'm wired but it's a treat nonetheless!)
If you're struggling to keep motivated during these long dark winter nights then give it a go and share photos of your goodies with us on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.
"It's too cold"
"It's too hot"
"It's too dark"
"I'm too tired"
"My trainers might get wet"
"I might get abducted by aliens"
Actually the simple fact was, quite simply, there was no excuse.
During a particularly rubbish spell of running (or not running as was closer to the truth) I started to have a good think about what motivated me. Now don't get me wrong, everyone is different but for me it was reward. Very superficial I know but that was the truth.
I began by rewarding myself with food. Not the brightest idea I know. After almost every run I began to do undo all of my hard work, chomping on chocolate when I returned hot and sweaty and feeling very proud of myself. (True story that!) Soon after realising I was gaining pounds quicker than I was losing them I started to think about pounds in terms of money rather than weight, and that's when the Jar of Joy was born.
For every run or workout I do I add £1.00 to the jar. If I've found it particularly difficult to get motivated but I do it anyway then I put £2.00 in the jar. Just looking at the money build is motivation to keep going, knowing that when the jar is full or after a few months I can treat myself to something lovely. (Usually for me that treat is running related as that's just how I'm wired but it's a treat nonetheless!)
If you're struggling to keep motivated during these long dark winter nights then give it a go and share photos of your goodies with us on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.
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