Happy Monday everyone! I hope you all had a lovely weekend. As of last week, I’m officially back to working out and getting in shape again! This happened to be one of my New Year’s resolutions this year and it only took me 9 months to get working on it. Better late than never, I guess.
10 Ways to Motivate Yourself To Work Out
The most challenging part about going back to the gym was motivating myself to do it. Going to the gym just doesn’t sound fun so it took a lot for me to get myself to actually go and then continue to go after that. After just four trips to the gym, I’m now hooked. I actually look forward to going now. So I thought I’d share some of the ways I keep myself motivated to keep going back.
Pack Your Gym Bag The Night Before
Packing your gym bag can easily feel like a chore sometimes. You have to find your work out clothing, sneakers, your water bottle, a towel, shower supplies if you’re showering at the gym, etc. etc. etc. No one wants to wake up in the morning and have to pack a gym bag. So I always have my gym bag packed and ready to go. I can pick it up and walk out the door with it at any time and I know that everything I need is inside it.
Put On Your Work Out Clothes
Sometimes I even go as far as wearing my work out clothes to bed at night. This works great if I have to go to the gym first thing in the morning. This leaves me with zero excuses when I wake up in the morning. My bag is packed and my clothes are on. All I have to do is drive to the gym!
Create An Awesome Work Out Playlist
I couldn’t possibly work out without music so I just created the best work out playlist ever on the Spotify app on my iPhone. It’s full of fun, upbeat music that keeps me energized throughout my work out.
Find A Work Out Buddy
Having work out buddies has helped motivate me a lot. First, I have Amanda and Kyle who go to the gym with me. They both work out a lot so I can count on them to go consistently and challenge me to push myself. Amanda prevents me from cheating at my work out. Then I have Zack who is also working out a lot right now in Japan. Knowing that he’s making the effort to work out more, motivates me to do the same.
Set Goals
Whether you’re trying to lose weight or tone your body or just trying to get into better shape, it’s important to set some goals for yourself.
My current end goal is to tone my stomach, legs, and butt. So then I also have smaller goals which help me reach that end goal. For example, with cardio, I’d love to be able to jog 2 miles without stopping. So for now, I’m working toward jogging for one mile.
Then I’ll increase it gradually until I’m able to jog nonstop for the full 2 miles. It’s like breaking down my end goal into smaller steps. These goals help motivate you to obtain your desired results!
Find A Class That Works For You
Most gyms offer various fitness classes throughout the month. The Planet Fitness location that I go to doesn’t offer Zumba or Pilates or anything like that, but they do offer zone type of classes. One for abs, shoulders, back, chest, legs, etc. So if there’s a certain area of your body you want to work out, then there’s a class dedicated to it.
Find A Gim That Works For You
When I decided I wanted to start working out again, I immediately went out and got a Planet Fitness membership. Planet Fitness can be found anywhere which was my original logic with choosing it. I wont have to find a new gym when we move again next summer. I’ve been a member for a little over a week now and love it! My home location is always clean and everything is super friendly and helpful. It works great for me and it really helps motivate me to go back the following day!
Buy Some Work Out Gear
My first week back at the gym, I went out and got a gym bag along with some new sports bras to help motivate myself to continue going. And it worked. All I wanted to do was wear my new clothes and show off my new bag. That alone, gave me a reason to go to the gym.
Track Your Succes
The first app Amanda suggested to me was My Fitness Pal. It allows me to track my work outs as well as what I’m eating. I also use Fitness Buddy to help me find new work outs to try or machines to use at the gym to get the results I’m looking for.
Reward Yourself
Whenever you accomplish one of your goals, find a small way to reward yourself. You can buy yourself a nice top to show off your new arms or buy some new work out gear or whatever it is that you desire!
Since I’m also eating better as well as working out more, I rewarded myself with a small cookie the other night. My only sweet in a week and a half. Surprisingly, I felt guilty for eating it and then felt more motivated to work it off the following day!
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