How do you find ways to motivate yourself to exercise when you are feeling tired, overworked, or just plain lazy? Or sometimes the lack of motivation can come things like taking your kids to practices or maybe being in a new relationship.
For one reason or another, we all have days (or weeks) where we are having a hard time being pumped about getting in a workout.
Well, there are a million ways to motivate yourself to exercise, but I’ve put together 10 tips and reminders that may help give you the spark you need.
1) How you feel after a workout. After you recover a bit you always feel great. Remember that. “I regret that workout.” -Said no one ever
2) The dreaded sluggish feeling from not exercising. When you miss more than a few days (and even then) you start to feel slow and low on energy. Pay attention to that and use it next time you think you’re too tired to workout. Remember how tired you are by NOT working out.
3) A workout partner. Someone who is just a serious as you and someone who will make you level up. If you or your partner start canceling on each other then you are not a good fit as workout partners. It’s true. Find a partner that supports you by being willing to call you on your flakiness for no-showing and vice versa.
4) A group format program. There are things like in-person boot camps or semi-private training. There are also online challenges that you can participate in that let you fit in your workouts on your own schedule but that still give you the support of others and a coach.
5) Have a plan! Personal experience here: on the few days I work out by myself each week if I wake up without a set plan of what I’m going to do I tend to drag and procrastinate. On the other hand, if my workout is already planned and ready to go then I’m much more excited about getting out there and getting it done.
6) Success stories. It’s incredibly motivating to read all the various struggles and methods that others use to get fit. Search #transformation on Instagram and get inspired.
7) Tracking your workouts. Writing down what you do in each workout (especially strength) is important for several reasons one of them being motivation. When you are able to continually set and reach goals, even small ones, you’ll find that you will be anxious and excited to get to your next workout.
8) Sometimes it’s not about calories or strength. Sometimes it’s good old therapy to get in a good workout. The time to clear your head of everything else, work off some stress and leave it all on the “gym” floor is priceless.
9) Motivational quotes. I post them often on my Instagram. Follow me @GetFitWithSarai. It’s okay to scroll way back and double tap some that motivate you. I won’t think you’re a stalker, lol.
10) Rewards yourself. Pick something non-food related and reasonable so that you can give yourself rewards often until working out becomes more of a habit.
Motivation gets you going, commitment keeps you going. Very true. But you gotta get going! Hopefully these reminders will help.
