Let me let you in on a little secret.
I dread working out most days.
Being lazy is so comfortable!
But after waking up for FOUR YEARS of morning practices as a collegiate swimmer, and fighting off my inner slob for the past thirty years — here is how I manage to stay motivated to hit the gym.
- BARGAINING
*Me, trying to negotiate with myself to get off the couch*
“If you just GO to the gym… you don’t have to do that much”
If I trick myself into thinking that I’m just going to walk on the treadmill or do something easy, I don’t dread it as much.
Plus – once I get there, I usually see other people working out and I end up doing a pretty decent job. For me, getting there is usually the hardest part for some reason.
Also, tell yourself you can treat yo’self afterwards — with a smoothie from a fancy healthy place, a magazine, or something small (and not sabotaging) that you can look forward to.
The only reason I went to morning swim practices in the summer when I was younger was because my mom would take me to Krispy Kreme afterwards. Ha.
2. THINK ABOUT HOW GOOD YOU’LL FEEL AFTERWARDS
Sure, sitting on the couch for hours FEELS good at the time, but afterwards.. I just feel like a slob.
You’ll be glad you did something.
I’ve never regretted working out.
I HAVE regretted watching three hours of Netflix.
However, if your body truly is exhausted, it’s ok to have those lazy days sometimes.
*When I remember how much football I watched this weekend on the couch**
3. DO *ANYTHING* ACTIVE
I used to have this “all or nothing” mindset about working out. Like if I didn’t do a grueling 2-hour, high-intensity workout, it didn’t count.
If I’m REALLY dreading a workout — I’ll just go for a walk or a hike. Getting outside (weather permitting) usually puts me in a better mood, and walking can be a decent recovery workout.
Plus – this is how I look at it — the hour I spent walking, is an hour I didn’t spend mindlessly eating on the couch. Ha. So it’s a win in that aspect.
If the weather sucks, I’ll download an episode of something on my phone and walk on the treadmill while holding 5 pound weights.
Or I’ll just do 50 push-ups by the pool and call it a day.
SOMETHING is better than NOTHING. Always.
4. PREGAME YOUR MIND FOR YOUR WORKOUT
NO, I don’t mean “Pregame” as in a college drinking way.
I mean, spending 10 or 15 minutes looking at fitness websites, Instagram accounts, or youtube videos — getting my mind to think of “fitness” thoughts!
Some of my go-to’s are:
- Muscle and Fitness’ website for workouts and tips
- Youtube videos of WWE Divas or former Steelers Linebacker James Harrison working out ( He’s 40, guys)
- Britney Spears music videos
- Pictures of myself from when I was 26 LOL
- Any fitness Instagram influencer account (but who wears their hair down when they workout??? C’mon man!!)
- Plan your workout ( I use the notes app on my phone)
- Make a playlist on Spotify
5. COFFEE
… Or I guess Pre-workout is the healthier option, but I prefer the fat, sugar, carbs, gluten, and dairy that come along with my coffee.
If you physically feel like you’re rocketing into space from caffeine, it’s much harder to sit still on the couch —> “guess I’ll go workout”
6. GET CUTE WORKOUT CLOTHES
Vain? Maybe
Superficial? Sure
But like Deion Sanders says:’
“If you look good, you feel good. If you feel good, you play good. If you play good, they pay good”
(We’ll excuse Primetime for his grammatical errors because he’s a hall-of-famer.)
7. TRAIN YOURSELF, PAVLOV DOGS STYLE
I’ll pick a song that’s really motivating / upbeat / gets me fired up, and ONLY listen to it right before I’m about to do a high-intensity workout.
That way, it’s a clear signal to your body that it’s GO TIME.
Seriously — try it.
I used to do it before swim races ( I swam in college) and I could physically feel my body getting into gear.
OTHER MISCELLANEOUS THOUGHTS
Your body is one of the few things you can (somewhat) control in life.
Obviously, genetics and health play a huge role here, but for me — there’s no excuse why I can’t keep my body in decent physical shape ( I’m talking fitness, NOT changing my bone structure or getting skinnier).
What’s your excuse for not having the body you want?
For every excuse — there’s someone out there still doing it, and even THRIVING!
Look at Shaquem Griffin… the guy has ONE HAND and plays in the NFL!
What do YOU do when you don’t feel like working out??
Blonde Moments 