Finding Motivation To Work Out – Easy Hacks and Tips
Even the people who absolutely love exercising can have days where the motivation to get up and go is just nowhere to be found. At the present moment, I’m struggling to be as consistent with my workouts as I’d like to be. Health issues, work, and mom life are all competing for top priority. And when I get short on time, am feeling lazy, or down, the workouts suffer. Because I know we all fall into these ruts from time to time, I want to share some of the hacks and tips that keep me consistently motivated to work out.
Finding Your Motivation to Work Out
Set Goals
When it comes to setting goals, it’s best to small and slowly progress to larger ones. Goals should be both realistic and achievable; otherwise, you’re likely to give up in frustration. Some examples of short-term goals could be walking for 15 minutes 3 days a week. Then, amp the goal up to going to the gym 4 times a week. A long-term goal could be running a 10k race.
Find A Fitness Buddy
Working out with a friend is so much more fun. But you’re also less likely to skip a workout if it means letting your friend down. Having an accountability partner is a great way to motivate you and keep you showing up and putting the work in. This is also one of my favorite tips for How To Workout As a Single Mom. If you don’t have someone that you can work out with, ask a friend or family member to check in with you. Daily or weekly accountability check-ins can help you to keep making progress toward your goals.
Workout In The Morning
I know this isn’t always an option for everyone. But if you work out early in the day, there’s less chance of putting it off for other things. Plus, once you get your workout done, you’ll start the day feeling good about doing something for your health and working towards your goals.
Put On Your Workout Clothes First Thing In The Morning
If you do get to work out in the morning, put your workout clothes on first thing. Doing so makes it that much easier to actually go and get it done. But it also creates a habit loop. Wake up, get dressed, and exercise. The more you do this, the more automatic it becomes, without even having to think about it.
Have An Alternative Plan
Let’s be real. At times, life gets in the way of even our most well-thought-out plans. This can be because of time constraints, childcare issues, injuries, or health problems. This last one is especially true for those of us living with autoimmune disease or chronic illness. In these instances, I find it best to be both flexible with your schedule and type of workout. As well as show yourself compassion for whatever you’re dealing with. On days that I have low energy or a lot of anxiety, I skip the gym and go for a walk, either by the ocean or in a park with lots of greenery. The fresh air, sunshine, and nature help me feel less anxious and more grounded. And without exerting a lot of energy, I’m still able to feel like I did something good for my health and fitness goals.
Invest In Cute Athletic Gear
I’m gonna be honest, I live for a chic matching workout set. I find that occasionally buying new athletic apparel is one of the biggest motivators to go work out. It can also be used as a reward for reaching goals. The way I look at it is if it helps you get excited to exercise and feel good about yourself then it’s a good investment! Who would have thought that finding the motivation to work out was hiding in a cute outfit?
Xx Monti