How to Workout When You Have No Motivation
Being physically active helps maintain overall health and well-being. Still, sometimes even this knowledge isn’t enough to get us up from the couch and start exercising. If lack of motivation is something you’re dealing with, there’s no need to worry, as there are plenty of ways to put regular workouts on the top of your to-do list.
For instance, while certain people feel more motivated when using the rewards system, others need to go as far as to sign a sort of commitment contract, so they can be held accountable in the future. If you give yourself a shot at taking up exercise again, you might find out that you prefer to work out in the morning rather than late in the day. On top of that, joining a pilates or a Zumba class might also be an excellent way to find your motivation again.
Check out the article below to learn how you can try to beat laziness and start exercising again.
Find the Right Time of Day
If you want to start working out regularly again, it might be a good idea to pick a specific time of day to do it. The best time would be when you feel most energetic and active. If you’re a morning person, there’s no point in leaving the workout session for when it’s already late, and you’d instead go to bed than lift weights or run on a treadmill. Conversely, night owls often prefer to hit the gym during the late hours because the later it is, the fewer people are there.
On top of that, if you manage to work out every day, your body will get used to it, so finding the motivation to exercise won’t be that hard anymore. Depending on which one of the different body types your body is, you might soon start seeing yourself losing the excess weight or building the desired muscles.
Sign a Commitment Contract
Sometimes, a simple to-do list isn’t enough to get you up and running on a regular workout schedule. The solution to this issue could be as simple as signing a commitment contract with yourself. However, if you decide to do so, you should be realistic when setting your goals. For instance, you can start with committing to doing just 30 minutes of exercise every day and then gradually increase the time as you get more into it. This way, you can avoid burning out in the beginning.
In case you want to make sure you will stick to your commitment contract, you should tell someone about it. It can be a family member or a friend who will hold you accountable for not accomplishing your daily workout plan.
Join a Pilates Class
If you’re having a hard time getting yourself motivated to exercise on a regular basis, you might find that taking up Pilates classes will help you stay on track. These classes are usually held in the morning, so they can help you get an early start on your day, which can definitely be beneficial if you want to beat laziness and get into the habit of visiting the gym regularly.
Plus, pilates is a type of exercise that can help stretch out stiff muscles and make you more flexible while improving your posture at the same time. Additionally, this will be a perfect occasion to work out with other people and maybe make some new friends along the way.
Use the Reward System
If you’re one of the people who can’t seem to find the motivation to exercise, you can try using the rewards system. Your reward can be anything you want, but — for obvious reasons — it’s better not to choose a whole bar of chocolate. Start by setting a goal. Remember to be specific about it — for example, you can set a goal to work out for an hour.
When you accomplish this, you can watch an episode of your favorite TV show or buy something you have had your eye on for a long time. Keep in mind that good rewards should be low in cost and make you feel good about your accomplishment. If you decide to reward yourself with a snack, don’t eat the whole box, and if you make a purchase, don’t exceed a certain amount of money.
Don’t Make Excuses
Any excuse you come up with won’t work when it comes to explaining to others why you didn’t manage to accomplish your daily workout plan. You can tell yourself that you have better things to do or are too tired, but it won’t help you achieve your goals. To avoid facing unnecessary frustration, simply don’t make excuses at all.
Instead of making excuses, try to find a solution for each minor obstacle that comes your way and keep repeating this process until you manage to put your workouts back on track. If you still find it hard to stick to regular exercise, make a list of your fitness and health goals and read it every time you feel like making an excuse just to skip the workout.
Of course, do not push yourself too hard. Doing so will only make the matter worse. The key here is to find the right balance between exercising and relaxing. After all, rest is an integral part of every workout routine. If you struggle to determine the ideal number of workout sessions per week yourself, you can ask a professional trainer to help you with this task.
Find a Workout Buddy
Many people find it easier to stick to a workout plan when they do it with a friend. This is why you should look for someone who wants to join you in your journey towards achieving a healthier lifestyle. This way, you will have someone to encourage you when you feel like giving up.
If none of your friends seem interested in starting a workout routine with you, it might be worth reaching out to fellow gym members. If you have someone that can encourage you to exercise, it will be easier for both of you to continue going to the gym without making excuses or skipping the day or two of exercise to lay in bed instead.
Conclusion
To sum up, getting into a workout routine might be challenging, but it is not impossible. It’s vital for you not to push yourself too much, especially at the beginning. Try to start slow and gradually set new fitness goals, so you can avoid getting burned out or even bored with your new routine.
As time goes by, you will notice that your results are improving, and your motivation level is increasing. If you feel like giving up, remember that it’s never too late to start exercising again. Besides, don’t beat yourself up if you fail to reach your goals — get up and keep trying. Good luck!
