Exercise is undoubtedly one of the best things we can do for our bodies! Regardless of our age or gender, this activity has profound physical and mental benefits and enhances overall well-being. However, we may also not be motivated to work out regularly, which is perhaps why you are even reading this post!
So, are you guilty of finding excuses to skip exercise?
If you are, don’t worry. Even experienced fitness enthusiasts have days when they despise the very thought of exercise. After all, we are human! Feeling disinterested now and then is perfectly normal! Nevertheless, unless you kick the tendency to laze around, it can become a habit. And we know what it takes to get your groove back when you feel demotivated.
I asked Laura Murphy, 54 y old fitness trainer, and pro athlete, to share her tips. That’s what she suggested! Try her advice to get back on track when you find your fitness mojo fading.
- Remind yourself of why you exercise
Most of the time, just revisiting the end goal can restore your motivation. So, consciously remind yourself of why you need exercise.
It could be to improve your health. You may want to lose weight or gain muscle. Or you could even be training for a big event or special occasion when you want to look fantastic. Some people use exercise as an excuse to enjoy some social interaction or as a respite from their dreary routine. It can give you the perfect chance to meet people you like while staying productive. Finally, it could also be all about the satisfaction of challenging yourself and succeeding at it.
Regardless of the reason, keep reminding yourself of why you exercise. The motivation to do it will naturally follow.
- Identify your motivation barriers and create a plan to combat them
Try to recollect the days on which you didn’t feel like exercising. Then, evaluate what could have caused it—Were you tired after work? Perhaps, you were worried about getting something to eat? Was it too cold or hot? Or was it because it was too early or late in the day?
The idea is to look for a pattern on the days when you didn’t want to exercise. If you can find the trigger, you can work around it.
For instance, you may enjoy running but hate waking up early for it. In this case, the timing is the problem. Try switching your running session to the afternoon or evening, and you are more likely to get it done. Similarly, your plan may be to work out in the evening but end up skipping it as you are too tired by the end of the day. Try switching it to the morning. Kickstart the day with an early morning run or workout to boost your energy levels.
Now, if hunger seems to be the problem, adjust your meal timings to suit your training schedule. Go running a few hours after a big meal, or snack on carbs at least an hour before you work out. Short-paced runs in the morning are a practical option as you know you can return home to a hearty breakfast.
You may also dislike running when it is too hot or cold. In this case, choose that time of the day when you feel comfortable being outdoors. Alternatively, you could buy a treadmill or get a gym membership. It will not only fix the problem but also give you more flexibility with your exercise timing.
Also, evaluate whether the clothes and shoes you use during workouts are uncomfortable and weighing you down.
- Read some inspirational fitness quotes
Sometimes, a few inspirational fitness quotes can do the trick. It can motivate you to get going or revive your interest when it wanes. If you seem to be reaching for excuses to avoid working out, let us help you to get down to business. Read on our absolute favorite fitness quotes.
We hope they give you a well-intended push to get your exercise routine going and prepare for fitness and better health.
Trust us. It will be worth the effort!
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