The will to workout!

Brian Day, BS, CSCS

Every one of us has those days where you wake up and you just don’t feel up do going through your routine.  The most effective way to cure those motivational blues is to “just do it.”  I notice after my workout, particularly the ones I was reluctant to start, I feel great.  The release of endorphins, or feel good hormones, during exercise helps, but most importantly I have honored the promise I made to myself that I would stick with this. 

What can be particularly challenging is when these reluctant days tend to string themselves together.  Here are some great tips for picking that motivation back up.

  1. Review your goals.  If you don’t feel much like working out, maybe you’ve forgotten why you decided to do it in the first place.  Fact is if the discomfort of working out is greater than the reasons you have to stick with it, you may quit.  Do your exercise goals motivate you?  If the answer is yes, then get back out there and get to work.  If you answered no, it is time to sit down and develop some new powerful goals.  Perhaps you should plan a trip to get in shape for, or a benefit walk, run, or bike to train for.  Whatever it is, make sure it is something that empowers you!
  1. Think ahead.  If you stop putting effort into your exercise program today, how do you for see yourself feeling in a month?  How about a week?  How about a year or five years?  Do you see the strong, healthy, vibrant person you want to be or do you see a picture of someone who wishes they had stuck with it.
  1. Make it fun.  How long have you been using the same program?  A month, maybe 3 months?   There is no “best” exercise program.  In fact, it has been said, “the best exercise program for you is the one that you are not doing!”  Both the mind and body need consistency to grow and develop, but they also need variety.  Every one has different timetable though.  Some people need at least 4 weeks with a program before they really get the routine down so they can push themselves, while others prefer something entirely different every month.  Make sure that your trainer knows which type exercise enthusiast you are.

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