Workout motivation can be tough no matter if you’re just starting out or if working out is a part of your normal routine. Motivation to work out may not all of a sudden come, but if you put in the time and effort for exercise, it can soon become an enjoyable part of your routine.
Here are some tips to get motivate yourself to work out. (See also our 10 motivation quotes).
Write your goals down.
Whatever your reason to start working out more, write it down and put it somewhere where you will see it every day. It’s easy to back out of a work out because you’re tired or don’t feel like it.
However, if you have your goals in front of you, you may be more likely to push aside your feelings and get that work out in.
Recognize that your goals are not going to happen unless you do something different. If your goal is to lose 20 pounds, shave time off your 10k time or workout for health reasons, remember that the next time you are debating whether to work out or not.
If you’re serious about your goals, keep that as your focus and motivation. Remember why you are choosing to work out and use that as motivation.
Go even if you’re not motivated.
Most people will admit the hardest part of working out is showing up to the gym or actually starting the workout dvd or your run. Even if you’ve been exercising for a while, motivation to work out can come and go. However, once you start exercising, your mood will usually shift and you don’t regret getting the work out in.
Even if you don’t feel like working out, do it anyway and you’ll be glad you did. It will also make the next time you don’t feel like exercising easier to go anyway.
Go with a friend.
Having some accountability and encouragement can help leaps and bounds with motivation. It’s much easier to skip a work out if you’re the only one that notices, but if you’re meeting someone to exercise you’ll be less likely to skip.
Working out with someone can make it more fun and you’ll probably push yourself harder than just working out by yourself. Share your goals with people you trust so they can also encourage you with your goals.
Find friends, co-workers, family members or other members of the community that have similar exercise goals to you, and start reaching your goals together.
Schedule it as an appointment.
Make your work outs a priority by scheduling it in your calendar. It is just as important as a business meeting. Motivation to work out can be hard if other life events seem like they keep getting in the way. A consistent exercise schedule can take hard work, discipline and sometimes sacrifice.
If you only have a certain time of day that fits your schedule for exercise, don’t schedule other appointments in that time. If you have to use that time for something else, figure out a way that you’ll still be able to get your workout in. Don’t let it continue to drop off because of other life events. See also: How to find time to exercise
Make it fun.
Find something you enjoy doing for a workout. Sometimes a barrier to working out is that people don’t like to exercise. Exercise doesn’t have to mean going to a gym, a workout class or running. It could be biking outside, Zumba, playing soccer, swimming or Pilates.
If you feel yourself getting bored with your exercise routine, switch it up. Instead of always going on the treadmill, try biking, elliptical, hiking, aerobics class or swimming. Do a variety of cardio, strength exercises and flexibility throughout the week.
Talk to others that have been successful.
Find examples and stories of people that have accomplished their health and exercise goals. It helps to know you’re not the only one who has struggled with lack of motivation.
Hearing other’s examples of how they overcame lack of motivation and accomplished their goals can be motivation for you to not give up.
Hearing how other people overcame obstacles to accomplish their goals may give you some practical tools you can use for yourself to help increase your own motivation and to stay motivated for the long haul.
Conclusion
Finding motivation to work out isn’t always easy, even if you’ve been exercising for a while. Sometimes it just takes working out anyway despite the fact you don’t feel like it.
Chances are your mood will change as you are working out, and at the end of your work out you won’t regret exercising.
Working out with someone and sharing your goals can increase motivation, as well as writing down your goals and seeing them on a daily basis. It’s important to keep your exercise time as a priority and work other events around your exercise time if possible.
Exercise should be enjoyable, so find something you like doing for work outs.
