Motivation Techniques For Swimming
Our outdoor pool season starts today and I’m going into my first swimming workout for the year. My intention much like last season is to go into the pool at least three times per week doing laps. I was quite successful last summer and I intend to be just as consistent this summer. I will give you a glimpse at what is involved in my motivation techniques for my swimming since of course like any workout, there can be excuses not to go.
So here are some of the common excuses that would typically come up that will cause me to miss my swimming workouts and I’ve used some type of solution to get around each one. Coming up with such solutions are part of the motivation techniques I use to keep consistent.
Water Too Cold
Many people go into our pool just to cool off from the summer heat and this won’t happen for awhile since it is still a bit on the cool side for summer. The water itself is probably not warm enough either. So my solution — wear my scuba diving wetsuit which will more than adequately keep me warm throughout my entire swim (maybe except for perhaps the first few minutes).
Pool Too Crowded With Kids
This has been a major problem especially given that our outdoor pool is not that big. When kids are in the pool, they tend to be all over the place and of course, they really are not swimming. They usually just play and the problem is that they will always get in the way for those of us who want to do laps. I’ll end up having to stop because they get in my path even after I’ve told them to stay on one side of the pool. The solution — go early in the day before they are up and during the last hour of the pool hours when it is adult swim only.
Rain Days
Many people of course will not go to the pool during rain days for obvious reasons. For me, this is an easy excuse to get around. As long as the rain is not too heavy and there is no lightning, I figure I’m going to get wet anyway during a swim so the rain will not be a factor. The solution — go swim anyway and enjoy the entire pool to myself!
Don’t Feel Like Swimming
Of course swimming laps over and over can get a bit boring but I have to think about the positives. Unlike other forms of cardio, swimming will not be hard on my joints and I can exercise my entire body. It has been a big factor in the past in keeping me in shape so that should be part of the motivation techniques as you keep doing what works. But of course, sometimes I still don’t feel like swimming. The solution — I remember that our outdoor pool season is very short from now, the end of June to early September. That’s not a very long season at all so each pool session I miss is significant. That’s enough to get me into the pool and do my laps.
Motivation Techniques Must Address Any Excuses
So there you go, part of my motivation techniques I use to get my butt into the pool. Effective motivation techniques should address any excuses you might come up against and it’s best to plan these ahead of time for best chances of success.
If you haven’t seen my free 3-part Personal Development Video Series yet, which also has some very important motivation techniques, see the intro video at the top left sidebar or at the link itself.
Okay, thanks for reading this post — now I’m off for my swim!
photo credit: JohnCrider
