If you asked me in my 20s why I worked out, I’d tell you it was to lose weight. If you asked me today, I’d tell you it’s to have the ability to pick up my oldest child when he’s 19 (a goal we’ve somewhat jokingly made) and because it’s good for my mental health. This mindset helps me show up consistently.

Our mindset is our why, and it plays an important role when it comes to staying committed to our health. On days when we don’t feel like showing up, have lost our motivation or are coming out of a tough season and need to recommit, it’s our mindset that will push us forward.

I tell myself: You feel so much better afterward and you’re doing this to stay strong.

Biltmore Park neighbor and Burn Boot Camp member Lindsay Towler says her children are at the core of her fitness mindset. “I want to be able to chase them around, get down on the floor and play with them, or lift them up and down the stairs and not feel a strain on my body,” she says. “I also want them to see by example that Mom and Dad make fitness and health a priority so they will learn those positive habits too. The healthier I am, the longer I can hopefully live to see my kids’ and my grandkids’ futures.”

Progress over perfection: Focus on the big picture. Working out isn’t a quick fix but rather a lifestyle change, and it takes time and consistency to build. Take it one day at a time.

Reframe it: How we talk about things even if it’s inside our head can make a big difference, like saying “I get to” instead of “I have to.”

Focus on your why: It’s easy to forget our why. Bring it back into focus and remind yourself why showing up is important.

Plan for it: Anticipate that you’re going to have setbacks. Treat yourself with kindness when they occur, and plan how you’ll handle them.

Our lives are constantly changing, but we can build a commitment to our health with a strong mindset.