You don’t have to be a psychologist to realize that most people want to be in shape more than they want to get in shape. Put another way, it’s easy to decide you want to start working out and lose a few pounds, but it’s a lot harder to get up an hour early, find time out of your busy day, or hit the weights when you’d rather be watching TV. That’s just human nature, and it’s something that every one of us – even personal trainers – have to deal with from time to time.
But that doesn’t mean you have to let bad habits sink your workout. Here are five ways you can convince yourself to get some exercise, even if you don’t feel like it at the moment:
Give yourself reminders. What’s driving your fitness goals? Was it running out of breath climbing the stairs, seeing an unflattering photo of yourself, or the desire to get in shape for a wedding or anniversary? Any of these can be powerful motivators, and sometimes a quick reminder – in the form of a picture or post-it note – is enough to put you back on course.
Get a buddy. Having someone you like to work out with is a great way to get yourself to the gym. Not only will you look forward to seeing a friend, but you probably won’t want to disappoint them by breaking an appointment.
Make a bet. If you’re really serious, take the idea one step further and penalize each other for missed workouts. You’d be amazed at how five or ten dollars – placed into a jar and donated to charity at the end of a few months – for every session you skip will motivate you into action. None of us likes to throw money away, and it could be just the thing to overcome the lure of the sofa.
Set a goal. Why not celebrate your fitness by deciding to run a 5K or compete in a basketball league? Having a definite goal in the near future creates a powerful incentive to stay on track. To get even more mileage, make sure your friends and family know about your plans – they’ll step in and remind you if try to skip workouts.
Hire a trainer. Granted, I might be a little biased, but I know how much a personal trainer can motivate you. Not only that they will give you encouragement at the gym when you need it, but your trainer can put you in a program to get maximum results from the minimum amount of time, and nothing is more motivating than watching your waist shrink while your health improves.
You’re not always going to want to feel like working out. But by trying one of these tips – or better yet, trying a couple of them at the same time – you might just find you have the energy to make it to the gym after all.
