Motivation or lack of? Here's my top tips for riding it out
Motivation or lack of it is one of the main reasons I hear for why people either quit training or struggle coming back after a break/holiday.
Unfortunately there isn't a specific medicine to combat this and everyone feels it sometimes. We all feel too tired for the gym or like we'd just rather do anything else.
The people who get the results and stay there, are the ones who feel all those feelings but do the thing anyway. What I do hear a lot is 'I really didn't want to come today but I'm so glad I did' followed by 'No offence' 😂. None taken, I hear it almost daily 😂.
So you know it will make you feel a million times better when you've done it but you just can't seem to shift your ass into gear. Well, here are my top tips to making you feel a bit more energetic and strutting into the gym happily.
🏋🏻♂️ If you go first thing in the morning, lay out your kit right where you get out of bed, if you train at home put your weights there too. I know it sounds weird but if you have to fall over them to get yourself moving then it might just work! Plus you have to go to the effort of putting them away again so more likely to use them.
🏋🏻♂️ Tell yourself you'll just do 20 minutes. I do this all the time, mostly with my walks because I don't like it! You probably won't even realise 20 minutes has gone by and will carry on. By this point you'll have more energy and the endorphins will be flowing.
🏋🏻♂️ Do what you love to do. I love training upper body, so if I'm really not feeling the gym I'll go and do all the exercises I really like to do. Tell myself it's nice and easy, and you know when you're there effort levels will be up.
🏋🏻♂️ Get a gym buddy. When you have to let someone else down, it's likely that you won't. If your friend isn't as fit as you, it's a nice feeling knowing you're helping someone else by being there. If they're fitness level is better than yours well that's a winner because you'll have to work harder 💪🏻
🏋🏻♂️ Buy some new kit. Nothing makes me trot happily to the gym more than new gym kit. Even if it's just a new vest top, a bit of retail therapy never hurt no-one 😬😂.
🏋🏻♂️ Get yourself a different workout. Sometimes freshening up your plan can really do the trick. I love going and testing a new programme out. If you've been doing the same exercises for months, it really is time to change it up.
🏋🏻♂️ Are you getting enough sleep? I know it's a bit boring but sleep is so important. If we're not getting enough it will 100% have an effect on our training and nutrition.
🏋🏻♂️ And the same goes for food. So many women are not eating enough food. It kills me. And then wonder why they binge eat at night or the weekend. Food is fuel, if you have nothing in the tank your workouts will suck ass. It's a lot more fun when you see progress each week.
🏋🏻♂️ A change of time might be an idea. I get asked a lot what is the best time of day to train. If you aren't competing or an athlete then you really don't need to worry about that. But, we all have times of the day when we are more productive and energetic than others. It might be impossible to change it because of work or family but if you can, it might be an idea to play around with it.
🏋🏻♂️ Lastly, if you really want to get into training but are just finding it way too difficult then you might want to think about getting yourself a coach. I am taking on new online coaching clients at the moment and I take all of the stress out of the equation. My online coaching includes an app which has all of your workouts with video demos, nutrition support with calorie and macro goals, weekly check ins to ensure you stay on track and you can what's app me anytime if you need help. No fad diets, no yo-yo dieting ever again. Get in touch through my contact page if you would like more information.
I hope this blog helps you to get out of your funk. Exercise is for everyone, so if weight training isn't for you go out and try new ways of moving your body. ❤️