Guess what?! As much as I love getting my sweat on, I have days when the struggle is real with my fitness. Nope, you’re not alone. Here are my favorite motivation tips.
How to get motivated to workout
Ready to find some inspiration so you can workout on days you really don’t want to? Here are my 9 workout motivation tips.
1. GET DRESSED IN YOUR WORKOUT CLOTHES
Including your shoes…. When you are dressed for it… you are halfway there.
2. MAKE A DATE WITH A FRIEND, SPOUSE, NEIGHBOR
You aren’t in this alone! Reach out and find someone to help hold you accountable. You will deepen your relationship, have fun AND get your workout in.
Join an accountability group with a Certified Personal Trainer, like STRONG by Emily. With 3 fresh video workouts each week, healthy eating tips, and a group of women cheering you on — you’re instantly committed to the mission to be healthier!
3. TURN YOUR KID INTO YOUR COACH
I ask my 6-year-old if he wants to do a workout with me during my younger sons nap time. He never lets me weasel out of it. Plus he can come up with some pretty crazy exercises!
You can workout with your children, no matter their age! These are 10 great cardio exercises you can do with your kids.
Think about what a great role model you’ll be showing your children the importance of fitness and healthy food choices.
4. JUST PUSH PLAY
Having a program at home that you enjoy is a huge help for those days when loading the kids up to make it to the gym seems next to impossible OR you have a sick kiddo and CAN’T make it to the gym. Having someone to push you and tell you what to do is sometimes all it takes when you can’t seem to make yourself start.
With STRONG by Emily, online personal training, just open the app on your phone and you’re ready to workout with videos and modifications!
Only have 20 minutes, because you’re busy with life, no worry! Most of the workouts can be done in 20-30 minutes.
5. FIND MUSIC THAT YOU CAN’T HELP BUT MOVE TO
Find a new Pandora station, Spotify playlist or download a few new songs from iTunes. Music is everything for me… sometimes all it takes is one new awesome song to get me moving.
Here are some of my go-to music choices:
- Pandora: Rap Strength Training station or Hip Hop BBQ
- Sound Cloud: This is an app that I have downloaded and I found some AWESOME workout mixes that Shaun T (INSANITY guy & my fitness hero) has shared.
- iTunes: There are workout mixes called “Now That’s What I Call a Workout” and they are fun, upbeat mixes that will definitely get you moving!
6. COMMIT TO AT LEAST 5 MINUTES
If you still aren’t feeling it after 5 minutes, then throw in the towel and call it a day. More times than not all it takes is just to get moving. Chances are those feel-good endorphins will start pumping through your veins and you won’t want to stop!
7. SWITCH IT UP
Perhaps it’s the workout that you thought you were going to do that is taking away your mojo. Be flexible. Switch it up. Do a different video, go for a run instead of a weight lifting session, drop in on a group fitness class or do some yoga instead of plyometrics! JUST MOVE YOUR BODY!
8. SET GOALS
By writing down specific goals the next time lack of motivation strikes you can remind yourself WHY your workouts are important! Start with simple, short term goals and then progressively make them longer range. Write them on your bathroom mirror, hang them on your fridge, put a reminder on your phone and have them pop up every day. Keeping them visible helps keep you on track.
9. TAKE A REST DAY
Sometimes your body really is just telling you to slow down and take a break. Learn to feel the difference between lack of motivation and exhaustion. The important thing is to get back on track ASAP. Don’t let one day off turn into a week. And remember that our bodies DO NEED REST. Rest days are just as important as workouts. Give your body time to recover… during this time your muscles actually get stronger and you are less likely to experience burnout or injury.
Moral of the story, physical activity needs to be a part of your life so find a way to move that is FUN FOR YOU. What works for your best friend won’t necessarily be your thing. Keep experimenting with the hundreds of options that are out there until you find your soul mate workout. It is out there, I promise.
What do YOU do when you just aren’t feeling it? Share below in the comments section!