Sometimes it’s the last thing you want to do; work out. You either have no time, live too far away from the gym, you’re too tired or you just can’t be bothered. We’ve all been there, when we have absolutely no motivation to move our butts of the couch and onto the squat rack. However, the longer we put off exercise, the worse off we’ll be. If you’re desperate for motivation, but not sure where to find it, you’ve come to the right place. Here is how you can motivate yourself to work out.
MyDeal Pro Tip:
Wear your activewear more often. You’ll probably see women in their athletic wear going to cafes and shopping centres, and it may strike you as a little odd, because hey, they’re not working out. However, if you wear your athletic wear, you’re more likely to work out that day. If you wear your leggings, a t-shirt and your runners out, you’re more likely to be more active that day than if you’re wearing jeans and a pair of heels. When you wake up in the morning, put on your athletic wear and grab some pet toys from MyDeal, you can go for a walk with your dog, and then head to a cafe. Awesome!
Kerrie Denton | Motivation 2 Conquer
“Motivation is the driving force behind everything that we do. It is our inner fire that pushes us along. Once our motivation begins to slide, so do we. One of the biggest factors in depleting our motivation is ENERGY. Everything we do requires energy. When we feel tired and lethargic, our first response is to not feel like doing anything, let alone getting out that front door for a run or going to the gym. Here are some practical tips that can help to get you moving.
• Sit quietly for 5 minutes and practice deep breathing as this can give you an instant energy boost.
• Add Visualization to your deep breathing – See yourself giving it your best and how great you will feel after you finish.
• Now add Positive Self-talk – Repeat your own powerful affirmation such as I am so driven and determined to achieve my fitness goals.
I love to work out. I love to feel strong.
• Set very clear and realistic goals which keeps you focussed.
• Remind yourself of your purpose. This is your why you set your goal in the first place.
• Put on some powerful music. Nothing can boost energy and change your attitude as quickly as some motivating music.
• Have a workout buddy which can keep you both accountable.
• Mix your work out up and do what you love to do.
• Eat plenty of healthy foods to boost your energy levels such as fresh fruit and vegetables.
• Get plenty of sleep.
• Bribe yourself with a reward. For example, if you work out 5 days out of 7, go and have a massage.
• Tell yourself to just start. You usually pick up after a while, but if not, a light workout is always better than no workout.” Find out more about Motivation 2 Conquer by following them on Facebook and Instagram.
Natalie Moore | Running Fit Box
“Setting goals is a fantastic way to establish a strong mindset toward exercise. I would recommend focusing on goals which empower positive thoughts and nurture a sense of achievement, rather than focusing on the number on your scales. Being deliberate about setting realistic and achievable goals is crucial as this is what will keep you motivated on an ongoing basis. Also, just as important make sure to celebrate the achievements you make along the way.” Find out more about Running Fit Box by following them on Facebook and Instagram.
MyDeal Pro Tip:
Trick yourself into thinking you’ll only do half a workout. Hear me out, if you tell yourself you’ll only do half what you normally do, you’ll trick yourself into doing the whole thing. If you tell yourself you’ll only make half the bed, you’re going to end up making the whole thing, because you don’t want a half-made luxury bed cover do you? Whatever your regular workout is, whether it be running three kilometres, doing 50 sit-ups or practising yoga for half an hour, half it. When you get to that point (the halfway point), you’ll be more likely to say stuff it and finish the whole workout.
Dr Miki Humphrey | Dr Miki Humphrey Chiropractor
It can be a struggle to get motivated to workout especially after a break from exercise. My suggestion for anyone who is struggling to get back into regular exercise is to find a training partner to workout with. This could be a friend, partner or work colleague who wants to get fit as well. Having someone to train with regularly creates accountability and motivation to make it to the gym or outside for a workout. Find someone who is of similar fitness level and has the same goals as you and set some regular times to meet up each week for your workouts. This should provide good motivation to get into a regular routine with exercise and training. Dr Miki Humphrey Chiropractor will be able to get you all the help and advice you need to stay motivated.” Find out more about Dr Miki Humphrey by following her on Facebook and Instagram.
Kusal Goonewardena | Elite Akademy
“There are some simple ways people can motivate themselves to work out. The first, and probably most important, is to choose an exercise which you enjoy. If you enjoy the exercise, everything will flow from there – you are more likely to keep at it, and to get better at it. You will find it more fulfilling and you will look forward to your work out. Unfortunately, many people choose exercise regimes which may not be suitable – often because they are fashionable or it’s something their friends do. For example, people who have never run in their life will start distance running, because their friends run, but give up once they realise they hate running.
They may then think exercise in general isn’t for them, which is unfortunate and a missed opportunity – if only they had started with something more enjoyable. Finding an enjoyable exercise may be challenging, but there are many options. Even people who don’t enjoy exercise will have a preference. Certain exercises will come more natural to you. For example, you may not enjoy running, but perhaps you enjoy swimming, rowing, martial arts, power-walking, cycling or yoga? When it comes to health and fitness the world is your oyster – there are so many choices available which are going to challenge and reward you, and the best thing is that you can do it your way and go with something you like. For people who find it impossible to enjoy exercise, then I recommend finding a work out which they can tolerate, and then stick with it for at least 21 days. By committing, your body will start craving the exercise – it’s amazing, the longer you commit to an exercise the more your body wants to do it, eventually providing the easiest and most profound motivation of all.” Find out more about Elite Akademy by following them on Facebook and Twitter.
Sean Nicholas | The Transformed Man
"Not many of us really enjoy working out and that’s Ok, it doesn’t have to be enjoyable all the time. For me, you have to go beyond motivation and understand that working out is just the path to what you really want, good health. If it’s enjoyable all the time that’s a bonus. Rather than relying on motivation to keep me ‘up’ and excited about working out, I set up strategies and my environment to make working out easy and convenient. For example, during my transformation stage I placed the workout mat next to the bed and as I stepped on the mat I had to do my 13-minute work out before anything else. This made it happen. Now as my health and fitness continues to develop I choose to go to a gym that is convenient, one I pass most days and have easy access to fit in a work out around my usual schedule The other strategy I employ is ‘just turning up’. No matter how I feel I give myself the challenge of just turning up to the gym, with the out clause being if I still tired I can simply leave the gym and go home. 9 out of 10 times I end up completing a workout. Just turning up goes beyond motivation. As an added strategy to commit to turning up I often work out with a friend, someone I don’t want to let down, by not turning up." Find out more about The Transformed Man by following him on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
When it comes to working out, there’s no right or wrong way to be motivated. Think of the reason why you’re working out, the benefits of exercise, bring a friend and trick yourself into it. As long as you’re working out, you’re winning.
