Well guess what.
Because I work at a gym, had an energy drink 3 hours prior, already had it in my schedule, happened to have a snack with me, an awesome coach coaching Gold'sFit (with just one member in there), and it was pouring rain outside (true story) it was as if the Gods were not letting me out of this one.
But guess what again.
You don't need every single one of these circumstances to get motivated. But I will tell you what will help you.
-Close proximity- your gym or fitness center NEEDS to be near you. If it's not convenient or is 15-20 minutes out of your way to get to, forget about it. Working out will probably be a rarity. If it's in your work building or on your way home from work even better! If it has huge windows or a Gold'sFit program with people running outside that's only going to help you more. Then you'll feel guilty for not partaking. :P |
| Some of the Gold'sFit peeps- MURPH day |
-Community/Workout buddy/Coach/Trainer. This is something that I firmly believe in. If people you know are coaching and taking the class, you'll be much more likely to get involved. You'll want to catch up with your friends and enjoy the experience with them. If you're a social or competitive person, that's even more of an advantage for you. Feeling the pressure to keep up with everyone else will help you push yourself when you're lacking energy or motivation. If you can find someone that counts on you to show up, more power to you.
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| My basic instant coffee |
-Planning and Preparation- These two P's are your best friend. Before the week starts, you need to literally block off times in your schedule strictly dedicated to exercise. STRICTLY! That means nothing will get in the way of it, unless its an emergency of course. Not an impromptu happy hour with friends, or a random urge to go shopping, etc. This is your health and you have to make it a priority in your life. If you have that time already blocked off for your wellness, you're less likely to blow it off. Not only that, but prepare for your workouts! Don't let being hungry, or tired, or without workout clothes ever be an excuse. Always pack a healthy snack or protein bar on you, leave an extra pair of workout clothes in the car, and some pre-workout or coffee or whatever to help you wake up. How many days out of the year would you say you're tired? If you add up all the days you fail to commit to your exercise program because you're tired at the end of the year, is it more than 3? 5? 7? This should rarely be an excuse (new parents you're excused :) ) You never regret a good workout, but you will regret taking the easy way out and not drinking one caffeine drink in order to exercise. Note: I typically don't advocate a dependency on caffeine to workout but it's once or twice month/ in moderation, then I don't really see an issue. If you need caffeine more than 3-4x a week however, perhaps look into other ways you could supplement your diet with healthier foods, vitamins, or work on getting more sleep. -Music!- If you're going to a class, this will be provided. However, if you're attempting to exercise on your own and you're just not feeling it, put on some of your favorite upbeat music! Start by warming up and increasing the intensity with whatever cardio you choose, and pretty soon you'll be amped up and ready to push even more. Make a killer workout playlist and this will be your second best friend.
-Using your mind!- Yep. I'm gonna say it. Visualization. The last component of getting motivated is visualizing what you want. This is what saved me tonight. I knew I wanted to get a great workout in and wanted to take Gold'sFit, I just didn't want to be the only one and make the coach stay later just for me, plus I was dreading certain parts of the workout. However, I remembered what my goals were. I focused on where I wanted to be regarding my health, and I owned up to the fact that I wasn't going to get the opportunity to get my *ss whooped in class for another 3 or 4 days. Therefore I needed to suck it up and just walk in the room. That's all I needed to do. Take things step by step and that will help you. Small goals first- put your workout clothes on, pack your workout bag, put on your music, and get in your car, drive to the gym, and walk inside. That's most of the work right there. Getting to the gym is the hardest part for most people. If you're part of group exercise program, you just have to walk in the room and us coaches will take care of the rest :)-Last one - mind games. I use this pretty often. It's hard pushing yourself when you're alone. Even if you're a personal trainer. But when it gets to a point that I want to give up, I tell myself at least 3 sets. Even if I'm hurting so bad I have to decrease the weight. I tell myself that everyone else around me is going to think I'm a weak quitter if I don't finish at least 3 sets. And I really don't like people judging me (even if it is pretend ;) ) Or if you're like one of my clients and have a huge imagination you can raise the stakes and pretend something really bad will happen to someone you love if you don't finish your sets.. but I don't recommend doing this all the time..lol
Bonus motivational tool: Cute workout clothes! These are fun to shop for and wear. Feeling good in your workout clothes will help you so much in the long run.Whatever it is that you need to start accomplishing your fitness goals, be real with yourself and make it happen! If you need a personal trainer, talk to a personal trainer. If you need to be pushed in a class surrounded by others, try a group workout program. There are so many tools out there to help you succeed! Whatever you need- there's no shame. So stop making excuses and go after what you want starting TODAY.
That's right. Not tomorrow. Not next week. But NOW.
Isn't it about time??
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions! I'm happy to help.
<3 Hannah
"Take care of your body. It's the only place you have to live."- Jim Rohn
so true! You are in great shape!
ReplyDeleteAww thank you!
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