Dear Alice,
Every day I have the intention of going to the gym, but as soon as the clock hits 5:00 p.m. and I’m done with work, my body hits snooze! I get so tired and unmotivated and just want to go home. I really want to start working out because I know it’s not just beneficial for my body, but also for my soul. What should I do? Any suggestions?
Alice Responds:
There are many benefits to working out, among them heart health and sleep quality and even brain function! However, that doesn’t mean it’s easy to make it to the gym. If you’ve been having trouble getting into a workout routine, here are some methods you can use for getting off the couch in order to break a sweat.
Dress For A Workout, Even If You’re Not Feeling Up To It
This is my favorite one. Considering that my days are 12+ hours, I find it super-challenging to make it to the gym afterward (all I really feel like doing is dinner at home and a glass of wine!). After my last client, I change to my workout clothing, which I brought in my duffel bag to work! Research has even proven that our brains are susceptible to “enclothed cognition,” a technical way of saying that dressing for the part can help fuel your ambition to complete a chosen task. If you’re in full workout gear, you’re far more likely to head straight to the gym.
- Get A Workout Buddy and Motivate Each Other!
It can be helpful to have an accountability partner, so make plans to have a joint workout with a friend. Feeling that someone else is counting on you to attend will make it less likely you’ll skip the session due to the automatic pressure to not let your friend down. Even better, seeing your friend perform – running a longer distance or lifting heavier weights – can also give you the motivation to push yourself, plus you can share your progress and cheer each other on.
- Don’t Over-Promise; Set Small Goals
Making yourself goals is key to anything you want to achieve in life. But if you decide you want to lose 30 lbs. in a month or run a 5K marathon with little to no training, you may be setting yourself up for disappointment. Make sure the goal is reachable, even if it means aiming for just 10 minutes on the treadmill so you’re not overwhelmed. Don’t forget to celebrate the smaller milestones along the way! Every little achievement counts!
- Consider Getting A Personal Trainer
Certified fitness instructors add to the cost of your workout, but they can also add a lot of results. An expert can design a program based on your goals, show you how to use equipment, and provide extra support to your nutrition plan. You may find you don’t need their assistance for long, but having them present while you start out could help you stick with it. We even have a whole fitness department at Nutrition by Tanya! Inquire today!
Keep Track
By recording your distance and weights in your fitness journey you’ll be able to see progress on paper. That record can come in handy when you’re feeling uninspired or skeptical to continue. Referencing a time when you could only run a half-mile, for example, might motivate you to stick with it because you’re now running an easy 3-4 miles.
So get in gear tomorrow right after work before you go home and head to the gym. The motivation will come to you once you’re there and everyone else is doing the same thing: breaking a sweat with a goal in mind.
Hope this helps!
Good luck,
Alice