5 Ways to Stay Motivated When You Don’t Feel Like Working Out

Date Posted:2 March 2020

Everybody wants to stay healthy so they try to squeeze in gym time once or twice a week. One could try but oftentimes we just lose the motivation to stick to an exercise routine when work and other responsibilities get in the way. Or when the new season of The Stranger Things hits Netflix and you use whatever spare time watching.

If losing pounds were as easy as writing down what you put in your mouth, we could all have a shot at being a Victoria’s Secret model by now.

Although buying a journal to record your diet and gym routine is a nice start, what good will it do if you can’t find the energy to work out and actually have something to write about.

Sticking to a fitness routine is a challenge so in this article, Morgan Sports will give you a few tactics that most personal trainers we know recommend.

Here are five ways to keep you motivated to work out regularly.

1. Change your mindset.

Shift away from thinking that it is hard or that you can do it another day, another week or next month. This type of “do-later” mindset is how you get off course, then months down the road you find yourself asking where it went wrong and how you became fat or unhealthy.

In order to avoid such “sad realisations”, you have to think like an athlete. Find inspiration in something or someone else such as an actress or an actor you admire who is seriously fit and healthy. In fact, there’s nothing wrong with surrounding yourself with images that will make you want to be active. You can even try to change your mobile wallpaper with a picture of an athlete so you are always reminded about what you need to do.

2. Set realistic goals.

People who often find themselves in yoyo diets more often set up unrealistic goals. When they lose weight but did not achieve their desired weight goal, they tend to give up and bounce back again to gaining those pounds.

The problem is not the lack of trying, instead it centres on unmet unrealistic goals. It is not possible to work out today and expect to be able to run a 10K marathon on the weekend. You have to toughen your muscles and stamina first before you can achieve harder goals. Why not start with 2K marathon? Setting up smaller and realistic goals, in the beginning, will set you up for easy wins that are more self-satisfactory ~ and will motivate you to keep working out so you can challenge your former records.

3. Track your progress.

There is nothing more encouraging than seeing your progress on a notebook or on a fitness tracker. Putting down on record your achievements has many benefits. It makes you feel good, pushes you to try harder, and gives you a benchmark record to beat and make progress.

For example, every run may feel the same but if you track your runs on a fitness tracker you’ll notice that you’ve run a distance more than yesterday. There are plenty of mobile apps that can help log your workouts, or you can simply use a notebook.

4. Create a schedule you can’t skip.

The hardest piece of advice on this list is “don’t skip workouts” — sometimes the problem is not the lack of motivation but finding a workout schedule that actually works. What this means is picking out a date and time that fits into your work and social life.

Most of the time people workout after work. It becomes much easier when the gym is en route to your home, which means you can actually stop by for an hour or two. What’s difficult is when you have to take extra time and effort to hit the gym. So make sure you find a time that works out with your weekly routine.

Another tactic is to bring with you an exercise mat which you can roll out and use whenever you can find a space to exercise and a pair of yoga pants. You can use your break time to do a couple of mountain climbers or burpees. From there on out, you’ll find it becomes easier to stick to a routine.

5. Make workouts fun.

People need to find what they do fun and exciting if they actually want to do it for a long time. The principle applies with a workout routine. When you find yourself dreading that morning run, then you’ll end up getting tired and giving up before you even started. The secret to staying motivated for a regular workout routine is to find an activity that you enjoy.

There are other exercises that are fun and enjoyable than running such as yoga, pilates, Zumba and other group classes. Most of the time being in a group class boosts your motivation since you know you’re not alone in your journey to achieving a fitness goal. Other people in the group will serve as a support system for you to push through. Not to mention the fun and camaraderie you receive when you get to know your group mates better. Who knows you might find your life long gym BFFs.

Finding the motivation to work out regularly may sound difficult, or even impossible for some people. But when you seriously take on these motivation tactics, you can achieve your goals with ease. As long as you start shifting your mindset, set realistic goals, create a workable schedule, have some fun, and give yourself time to get used to the routine, you will be setting yourself up for better health and happier life.

Morgan Sports is the leading industry wholesaler of sports, boxing, functional fitness and martial arts supplies in Australia. Browse our selection of products that will help motivate you to start working out regularly.

5 Ways to Stay Motivated When You Don’t Feel Like Working Out

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