Friday, 01 January 2016 17:37

How to Get Your Workout Done When You Really Don’t Feel Like Exercising

This year, whether you've made a resolution to start regular workouts or whether you're trying to keep up a habit you've already formed, it can be difficult to keep up with every one of your exercises on each day that you're supposed to be doing them. This is especially true when you really just don't feel like exercising at all. 

Even when you like doing your workouts, there are some days in which it is difficult to find the drive to do them. You might be going through a difficult, emotional or stressful time. It may simply be that you don't feel like exercising. It could be hard to fit it into a very busy schedule. Whatever the reason, it does happen to everyone and it is important to recognize that every time you give into that feeling and skip a workout, it gets easier to do it again.

Instead of giving in to the very powerful inclination to skip a workout, use the following self-motivating strategies to get yourself going.

Write down your goals. By putting your goals into words and writing them down, you alter your mindset to the point that you will think of them as being more concrete. Review your goals regularly and update them so they always reflect the reality of your life. This will freshen the motivation in your mind and will help to keep you on track.
Tweet your progress. It's true that you don't want to over-share your goals and efforts, but a weekly update about how much you accomplished, such as "Completed 5/5 workouts again this week #proud #goals" can help to push you to do it again next week. After all, when you're telling everyone that you did your workouts each week, you won't want to have to admit that you missed one...or two...
Bribe yourself. When your goal to have a healthier, fitter and more attractive body isn't enough, then put money on the line. Every time you skip a workout, you must put money into a jar/account/somewhere else that you're not allowed to touch it until you reach a certain goal. Make sure that it's an amount of money that you can afford to put aside, but that is large enough to be slightly uncomfortable. For instance, if putting $10 aside for each skipped workout means you won't be able to get your daily coffee at that shop you love for a whole week, you might be more willing to do that 30 minute power walk. Don't allow yourself to touch that saved money until you achieve an important workout goal. That will provide another layer of motivation as you will need to actually progress to be able to get that money back!
Know when you actually should take the day off. It's true that giving up on your routine for the day should be a last resort but it is also important to accept the fact that there will be times when you can't do it. When you don't feel like exercising, it could be a sign to skip it just once. When you are sick and feverish or when you have been on your feet for 16 straight hours without a single break, for example, it may not be a good idea for you to hit the gym. Accept that and promise to get back on track at the next possible opportunity. Just be sure to be honest with yourself and know when you're making excuses.

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