An Uncomplicated Life Blog: How to Stay Motivated to Workout

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

How to Stay Motivated to Workout

I was having a bit of writer's block when I remembered I wrote down these five blog post ideas. When I re-read that post, I got inspired (by my own idea - is that possible? Let's just say it is) to share with you a lil' workout motivation.

I workout five to six days a week. I've been working out five to six days a week since I was a scrawny 15 year old who tried out for (and made!) the varsity cheerleading team in high school. That's nearly 16 years of consistent training!



Clearly, I enjoy working out. I think anything that you want to do consistently, you need to enjoy. But just like the average woman, some days I don't want to. Some days I'd rather sit on my butt and eat pizza. Some days are a struggle to make it to the gym, or the yoga studio or lace up my running shoes.

I thought good and hard about what's kept me motivated to keep going, to keep pushing for 16 years of workouts. So here, dear readers, are my best tips and tricks to stay on your workout game and avoid burnout:

Switch it up! If you always run, or always walk, do something else! Try weight training. Try a yoga class. If you don't have a gym membership, get one so you can experience different workouts! Group fitness classes are a blast. If it's not in your budget, pick up some DVD's try new things at home. Not only is fun and refreshing to try something new, your body will thank you for it - mixing it up yields better results than doing the same workout all the time!

Have it be your "you" time. I was reading lots of Mother's Day posts last week, and one blogger said that she'd never do a marathon because she didn't want to be away from her daughter that long (four-five hours). Are you kidding me?!?! First, that's developing a co-dependent relationship, but that's a whole other can of worms that the daughter will eventually have to work out (READ: not "workout" - see that?!) with her therapist. To the point of this post, it's ok to have time for yourself! You need it. It's mental sanity. Physically you need this time, too. Have your workouts be your "you" time that you get to focus on yourself, and more importantly, doing something good for yourself. "You time" is something you GET to do, not HAVE to do, and viewing workouts that way is key for long-term success.

Don't set weight goals. I know, ignoring goal setting is counter-advice from every other fitness guru out there. But here's the thing: Let's say you reach the goal. Good for you! Will you stop working out then? Where do you go from there? Get skinnier and skinner? Well that's dumb, and unhealthy. Now let's say you don't reach the goal. Bummer. Will you punish yourself for it and binge eat cake... AND stop working out? I never have weight goals and I never weigh myself. I don't care. I want to be fit and athletic and I want my pants to button. That's my only goal. And that's a good long-term goal.

Allow breaks. When you're seriously mentally done/physically done with a workout, take the day off! I've found that when I completely lack motivation, I need a day off. Then I return the next day ready to hit it hard! Sometimes a rest day is exactly the motivation you need to continue for the long haul.

54 comments:

  1. 100% agree. switching things up keeps things interesting and can often revive your love of something. i was getting bored of lifting (say whaaaaat?!) since i'd been doing it for years and needed something more. when i started muay thai, that took up a lot of time away from the gym to a point where i started to miss lifting and it rekindled my love and passion for it again.

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  2. I love working out too, but I can vouch that some days are just harder to be motivated! Lately I've been really busy with work, my blog/business and wedding planning. It can feel stressful to try and fit working out into all that! I always remind myself of how good and refreshed I feel after the gym. It can be just the thing to give me that extra push to get more stuff done!

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  3. I mean 5-6 days a week for the last 15 years is amazing girl!!! I think switching it up is key for me which is why I just changed gyms...after 4 years I was bored and needed a change and now I'm excited to go to the gym again!! xo, Biana -BlovedBoston

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  4. YES to all of these! Oh how these are true....
    and I need to get motivated again. Whoops! Thanks for the kick in the pants.

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  5. YES to all of these! Oh how these are true....
    and I need to get motivated again. Whoops! Thanks for the kick in the pants.

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  6. Great tips! Taking breaks are essential. If I get in a rut with my workout I always allow myself to take a few days off.

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  7. 16 years is amazing. Seriously, you're my inspiration!
    I really lack motivation sometimes, which is stupid because the more I workout, the more motivated I get. I really struggle with the whole weight thing, right now my pants don't button so I do want the scale to go down. I don't care if the scale goes down as long as my bloody pants fit! I do view it as 'me' time though, and I'm sure I will when I have kids as well!

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  8. I love this as I work out 5/6 days a week too and sometimes get in a rut. Thanks for the inspiration. When I want to go get ice cream instead of work out, I'll remember this post!! xo

    livingoncloudandreanine.blogspot.com

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  9. I love that when I'm in a yoga studio, no one can get to me. Calls will be missed. Emails can suck it. No one needs me to run an errand for them, or feed them, or do their laundry. No one can bug me. If I didn't get alone time, I would (and do) turn into The Hulk.

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  10. When I did P90X3 (my first real workout adventure!), I thought I'd really enjoy the cardio, but the weight training ended up being my favorite! I definitely agree about mixing it up, and also going on the way you feel in your clothes vs. how much you weigh. Thanks for the post!

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  11. Switching it up is for sure #1 for me and a huge part of what has kept me active for so long as well. I think next I'm going to try barre. Just looking for someone to come with me! I'm scared!

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  12. um hi, are you a mind reader? cause this post was obviously written for me haha I am doing the Kayla Itsites workout plan right now and some days (...most) I have to dig deep to get motivated. k and for reals, it's the best you time ever!
    xo, Candace | Lovely Little Rants

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  13. Thanks for sharing your tips! I think we could all work on spending more time doing self-care... and you are right it is a perfect way to get 'me time'. I love the design of your blog, very clean and modern! Thanks for joining the Link-It To Me Link Up Party, hope to see you next week!

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  14. Loving these tips! After I "quit the gym" it was easier to mix up my workouts instead of the same cardio and weights routine at the gym. Now I go for bike rides, go to Barre classes, yoga, and at home I use Jillian Michaels and Rush Fit dvd's. Every day of the week is something different, and I love it!

    And my jaw literally dropped when you said someone wouldn't train for a marathon because they'd be away from their kid for several hours. WOW... I thought parents crave their "me time" as much as they love and enjoy their children you need time to be you and that in and of itself is healthy. Her poor husband... I doubt he's getting much alone time with her either :-P

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  15. I'm starting the 21 day fix right now and this is exactly what I needed to read to get off my butt and just go do my workout, thank you.

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  16. Great Post!! In my case I need to set goals to stay motivated for my fitness plan. I prefer regular workout plan, diet plan, best muscle building supplements for men.

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