Figuring out how to motivate yourself to workout when you’re just not feeling it is a challenge.
That’s why I’ve always been one to side eye people who say they LOVE working out.
Do you really though???, I’d think to myself.
I believe there are some people who genuinely do enjoy working out. But, for a good portion of people, working out and finding the motivation to do so is a struggle.
Why Even Bother?
Working out in some form or fashion is essential to living your best life. For one thing, keeping your body in tip top shape and treating it with care is a way of honoring God with your body.
Also, working out helps keep your strength and energy up so you can do all of the things you want to do. Whether it’s running around after little ones, hiking Mt. Everest, or trying a physically challenging sex position, building and maintaining a strong body allows you to do so.
By working out, you reap major rewards like confidence, a higher metabolism, and more energy. Sis, DO IT. It’s worth it.
You don’t have to wonder how to motivate yourself to workout any longer. Try one or all of these 6 techniques to get the motivation flowing!
Promise Yourself a Reward
As humans, we’re really only motivated to do something when we actually WANT to do it.
If you’re not motivated to workout on any given day, incentivize yourself with a reward for working out that you DO want.
Personally, I reward myself with a nice warm bubble bath, or a long hot shower. When the workout gets tough and my abs are burning, I think about that snazzy, sexy bubble bath and it helps me push through.
Think About Your Family
Thinking about your family can help motivate you to workout. Think about how you want to show up for them. Think about how you want to be an example for them and inspire them.
Think about how you want to be healthy so you can walk through and experience life to the fullest with them. These thoughts help remind you that working out isn’t just for YOUR benefit.
It’s also for the benefit of your family and your future.
Get It Out Of The Way Early
After a long hard day at work, it can be difficult to find the motivation to head to the gym. So, if you can, don’t wait until after 5pm. Take care of yourself first, and start your workout first thing in the morning!
If you make working out the first thing you do each morning after spending time with God, you’ll feel so proud of yourself!
You will have started your day off with a “win.”
All of a sudden, presenting to the entire company will feel a lot less nerve-wrecking in light of the workout routine you just slayyyyyed.
Keep It Short
When you’re struggling to find the motivation to workout, thinking about exercising for an hour can be incredibly daunting. But, you don’t actually have to workout for a whole hour.
To get the motivation flowing, start with just 5 – 15 minutes. This helps you eliminate the excuse in your mind that you don’t have time and helps you get into the habit of doing some sort of physical exercise daily.
Try a 10 minute HIIT workout on YouTube. Or, try 5 minutes of jumping jacks followed by another 5 minutes of jumping in place. Keeping your workouts short can be the difference between choosing to workout, and choosing not to workout at all. Once those endorphins get to flowing, you’ll find it getting easier and easier to workout again. And again. And again. And again.
Know That It’s Going To Hurt. But, It’ll Hurt Good.
Nobody likes pain. But, when it comes to working out, that tinge of soreness is a sign that you’re puting in work!
Sometimes, we avoid working out because we don’t want to experience the soreness and the struggle that comes chasing gains. It’s tough! But, instead of dreading the soreness, embrace it and know that it means you’re moving and growing!
Set A Habits-Based Goal
Setting a goal is nothing without a plan to get there. Creating a plan to get there comes from building habits and systems that will move you toward your goal.
For example, say you want to run a marathon. The plan to get there is to work up to running 26.2 miles. The system that will support this involves increasing your running distance by 1 mile every 2 weeks. Holiday Park Scotland The habit you need to build is going for a run every day.
By focusing on establishing a daily running habit, you’ll score daily “wins” (hello motivation!) and advance toward your goal.
How do you motivate yourself to workout? Let us know in the comments below!