How to get yourself going when you don't really feel like it.
Motivate yourself to build healthy exercise habits using any or all of these 7 tips:
Remember that motivation will come.
You just need to start moving first. It could be as simple as lacing up your running shoes or putting on your gym gear, or even just forcing yourself to roll out of bed when your alarm goes off.Choose an activity that you enjoy.
Or at least choose one that you think you might enjoy. It’s much easier to overcome a lack of motivation if you are looking forward to whatever it is you have planned.Incorporate something you already do.
For example, if you stop for an espresso at your favourite coffee shop on the way to the gym it’s easy for the whole routine to become a habit. Or turn your dog’s morning walk into a run together – your dog will love you for it and you’ll have an enjoyable healthy habit that you never want to shirk.Write down your goal.
Or your commitment to yourself (for example a pre-breakfast walk on 4 days this week) and stick it somewhere you will see often, such as your bathroom mirror or fridge door. Seeing it first thing each morning and last thing at night will help you remember why you started and to stay focused.Be flexible.
If you had planned a killer leg day at the gym but you feel like you have no energy, make a deal with yourself to go to the gym and just do 2 sets of any given exercise. The way we humans work, it is likely that you will end up staying longer but, if not, at least you have done something towards your goal. If it’s raining and you had planned to do a run outside, consider using a treadmill instead or even switching to a gym session or fitness class. Something is always better than nothing and consistency (moving in some way each day) trumps perfection every single time.Recruit a buddy or even a team of buddies.
Some people prefer to exercise alone but others do better with company. If that sounds like you, recruit a friend to be your exercise buddy (but be careful not to use it as an excuse not to go if they cancel on you one morning!) This works in all kinds of settings, from going to the gym or yoga together, to regular weekend hikes or bike rides with friends or family.Outsource your motivation.
For many people, especially those with a busy lifestyle the fastest way to learn how to motivate yourself, or how to build those habits that allow you to do so is to make a commitment with a professional coach. At ATP Personal Training, we have developed a holistic approach to health and fitness that is based on what we call D.N.A. (Daily routine, Nutrition and Activity). We focus on building strong healthy habits that you can use for the rest of your life to build and smash whatever goals you might have, both inside and out of the gym. Our clients don’t need to rely on motivation (although many of them are highly motivated individuals), and neither will you.