How to Build Momentum Again
Why consistency matters more than motivation when you’re getting back on track
Motivation is a great way to start something.
But motivation isn’t always enough to keep you going.
I’ve worked with many clients who begin a new fitness routine full of enthusiasm, only to find that motivation starts to disappear after a few weeks.
This is completely normal.
The key is to build something stronger than motivation, which is momentum.
Momentum comes from taking consistent action, even when you don’t particularly feel like it.
Start with small wins
You don’t need to transform your fitness overnight.
Completing two workouts in a week is a win.
Going for a walk instead of sitting at your desk all afternoon is a win.
Getting to bed a little earlier so you’re ready to train the next day is a win.
These small actions build confidence.
And confidence makes the next action easier.
Make your goals achievable
If your goal is to “get fit”, it’s difficult to know exactly what success looks like.
Instead, give yourself something measurable.
Train twice a week.
Walk regularly.
Improve your squat technique.
Increase the weight you can lift safely.
Small, specific goals give you something tangible to work towards.
Don’t rely on perfect weeks
Life gets in the way.
You will have busy weeks. You will travel. You may miss a session.
That doesn’t mean your plan has failed.
The important thing is what you do next.
Missing one workout isn’t a problem.
Missing three months because you decided you’d “start again on Monday” is.
Build a routine, not a challenge
Challenges can be motivating, but they’re usually temporary.
A routine is different.
It becomes part of your lifestyle.
That’s ultimately what we’re looking for with fitness: something that continues working when the initial excitement has disappeared.
Keep looking forward
Progress isn’t always obvious.
Sometimes it’s lifting a little more.
Sometimes it’s moving more comfortably.
Sometimes it’s having more energy at the end of a working day.
And sometimes it’s simply knowing that you’ve built a routine you can rely on.
That’s momentum.
And once you have it, you don’t need to keep starting again.
Julien
Julien Bertherat is a London-based personal trainer working with private clients of all ages and fitness levels.
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