How to Motivate Yourself to Work Out

...When you really don't feel like working out!

Hey gorgeous!

Let's get straight to today's topic, shall we?

Motivating yourself to work out when you really don't wanna.

Long story short, I don't feel like working out right now.

Can you relate?

Maybe it's the end of your work day and you have a workout scheduled after work, but you'd rather just go straight home, make dinner, and go to bed.

Or maybe it's early in the morning and your alarm goes off and you try to convince yourself that sleeping an extra 30 minutes will feel a lot better than the feeling of accomplishment you'll get from a workout.

I get it.

I usually prefer working out first thing in the morning, before I get my day started. I feel like it grounds me, centers me, and gives me life, and otherwise - once I get on my computer and start working, there's no stopping me.

So for me, it's usually a morning workout or it doesn't get done at all.

And here we are -- 2:30 p.m. No workout in the books.

So I figured as I sat here sipping coffee, praying to the workout gods that they'll send me some extra energy and motivation...

I figured I'd pop in and share with you exactly HOW I motivate myself to get to the gym when I'd rather just crawl into bed, take a mid-afternoon nap, light and candle, listen to Jack Johnson and pretend it's not raining outside :).

1. Remind yourself of your goals.

I always preach to my coaching gals that you HAVE to constantly remind yourself of your goals and why you're doing this in the first place. It's not enough to discover your 'why' in the beginning (i.e. wanting to get stronger, get your first pull up/push up, specific weight training goals, an amount of weight you want to lose, etc.)... you have to constantly be reminded of it.

Because of course it's easy in the beginning. But what happens on days like today when the last thing you want to do is drive to the gym after work?

Tip: put your goals EVERYWHERE. Doodle them in your notebook. Put them on a sticky note at your computer. Write them in your journal. Put them on your calendar.

When you're reminded of WHY you're doing it over and over again, you're much more motivated to light that fire under your bum and understand that as much as you'd rather snooze right now, the workout you're about to do is bringing you one step closer to your end goal.

2. GET DRESSED.

Whether it's first thing in the morning (I recommend setting out your clothes the night before or even sleeping in them #noshame), or after work -- just. get. dressed.

Simply the act of putting on your workout clothes and lacing up your shoes sends a signal to your body that you're ready to go get 'em, tiger.

3. Commit to 10 minutes.

Seriously - that's it. Even if your scheduled workout should take around an hour, commit to 10 minutes. That means get your butt to the gym, start walking on the treadmill; or if you're working out at home, start your warm up.

Set a timer for 10 minutes and let that be enough. Chances are, after the 10 minutes is up, you'll have enough energy and motivation to follow through with your whole workout - but even if you just get those 10 minutes in... 10 minutes is WAY better than nothing at all!

4. PUMP UP THE JAMS.

This is everything!!! Especially if you've had a long/bad day at work and would rather put on emo music and cry your whole drive home.

Put on some music you freakin' love, get pumped up. Blast the music in your car and dance like Joe next to you at the stoplight isn't looking at you like a crazy person. Whatever works, right?

5. #GSD.

I used to say this ALL THE TIME but don't think I've mentioned it in a while - so if you're new around here, GSD means Get Sh*t Done. (One of my clients even got me a mug that says this. So awesome.)

You're not always going to be motivated. You're not always going to be in the best mood. But what's most important is that you made a commitment to yourself to follow through with your goals.

What kind of person do you want to be?

The one who follows through, even when all odds are against her and she doesn't feel like doing [said thing]?

OR someone who gives up because they're tired, feeling lazy, etc.?

MMMMHM girl. That's what I thought.

Go out there, lace up your shoes, pump up the jams and #GSD.

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And on that note, I'm off to work out!

Let me know how you motivate yourself to work out, even when you don't feel like it.

Sending you so much love, energy and motivation to GSD!

xo

Julie