The Power of Intrinsic Motivation in Fitness

Fitness and motivation go hand in hand when achieving your goals. But have you ever stopped to think about the basis behind your goals? Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation for fitness are both part of the fitness process. However, it is important to stay alert and aware of where your motivation is coming from in order to achieve long-term results.

Key Takeaways

If You Want to Become More Intrinsic In Your Motivation, You Can:

1. Consider your intrinsic motivations for your overall behaviors

2. See if there is room to shift your extrinsic motivators along the spectrum

3. Give yourself some choice when it comes to the things you are working on

Your Motivation Matters

We all have a wide range of motivational factors, whether we are just stepping foot in the gym or have been there for years. Regardless, the ‘why’ behind your motivation can play a key part in how you succeed in the long term. This is why it is important to understand the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation so that you can apply these concepts and better understand your own fitness goals. 

Challenging yourself to understand your goals and how those goals align with your values are key concepts in any athlete's journey. While there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ motivation, finding a way to connect to something that is in line with your values and identity will only help you in reaching your full potential.

Understanding the Intrinsic/Extrinsic Grey Area

Extrinsic motivation as your starting point can help a person get started toward behavior change, but in the long term, developing a sense of intrinsic motivation is what will keep you going. Extrinsic motivators are not inherently bad. They are often present when someone starts a fitness or nutrition program, and there is nothing wrong with that. However, it is your intrinsic motivators that are going to keep you going, and for the right reasons.

Shifting to more intrinsically linked motivators will help you see your behaviors through for the long haul. And aren't long-term results and consistency what we are really after?

Have you ever considered your intrinsic and extrinsic motivations? Share your thoughts with me in the comments on the episode page.

In This Episode

• Understanding the main difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation (3:40)
• Learn about the foundations of self-determination theory (6:47)
• Common misconceptions around intrinsic and extrinsic motivations in fitness (8:04)
• Examples of extrinsic motivators that often show up in fitness and nutrition (12:52)
• What you can do to establish a larger sense of more intrinsic motivation (18:23)

Quotes

“This is very common. It is nothing to feel bad over; it is nothing to feel guilty for; it is just worth noticing and building awareness of.” (3:12)

“When it comes to improving your fitness, whether it is adding strength, building muscle, improving your cardiovascular function, you're just working on consistency with getting into the gym; mindset is a crucial component of this.”: (8:38)

“Flexibility in thinking, your mental skills, are incredibly important in this time. And I would venture to say, maybe more important at this time of life than any other time in your life.” (9:51)

“If all of it is to do an hour, nothing is to sit on the couch, what is something that you could do?” (13:28)

“With continual practice and awareness over time, you can really start to shift this way of thinking.” (13:49)

Featured on the Show

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Full Show Notes

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