HOW TO SHIFT YOUR MINDSET WHEN YOU'RE NOT MOTIVATED TO WORKOUT.
As much as I love to move, I battle with motivation sometimes because it is a feeling that shifts and changes. There are days when sleeping in sounds much better, I’m too sore, I’m extremely tired or I simply don’t want to workout. And that’s ok if it lasts for a day. It could be a sign I need to rest but if the lack of motivation lasts longer than the rest day, I have to figure out what’s going on and what I should do about it. Below are some tips that help me overcome the lack of motivation and might help you as well.
1. Remember your why
Going back to the reason why you started working out in the first place is always a good place to start. Working out doesn’t have to revolve around weight loss. There is no harm in wanting to look attractive, but that is only half of the story. Exercise releases endorphins, which improves your mood and automatically boosts your confidence. It also helps reduce your perception of pain so next time you don’t feel like working out, think about how you’re going to feel afterwards and that in itself will be your motivation.
2. Switch it up
your body adapts to the demands you place on it. Two weeks is how much it takes your body to get used to a workout. It’s time to change things up after the fourteen day mark. Not only this, but if you have a regular routine it can naturally get boring.The moment your mind starts to dread your workout routine, take that as a hint to change it up. For example if Monday’s are my high intensity cardio days and I am dreading it i’ll do a dance workout instead.
3. Set yourself up for success
if you’re planning to workout in the morning lay out your clothes and shoes the night before. Let your workout clothes be the first thing you see in the morning so it gives you no choice but to wear them and put you in the mindset of getting a workout in on that day. I normally don’t workout in the morning so what I do is wear my workout leggings to work so when I get home from work the first thing I do is change my top and get to my workout for the day.
4. Exercise isn’t only for athletes
Exercise is for everyone! – people of all shapes, sizes, and athletic abilities. Your starting point is irrelevant. The important thing is where you’re going. Let me tell you a personal fact, where I am now didn’t happen overnight. It took a lot of practice, consistency, discipline and patience. I looked ugly wearing a tank top because my arms were soo skinny. I had zero arm strength and I wanted to change that! I wanted to feel confident wearing a sleeveless top, get, and feel strong. That is where it all started for me. I am happy where I am and am about maintaining that tone and feeling.
5. Exercises come in all shapes and forms
6. Exercise doesn't have to be time consuming
In an ideal world an hour of exercise sounds perfect but in reality it could be incompatible with your lifestyle. Don’t have an all or nothing mentality when it comes to working out. It’s not 30 minutes or no minutes. Commit to starting with something simple for 5-10 minutes a day. follow that routine for a month, add 10 more minutes. Repeat this process consistently and you will definitely see results. The good thing about starting with a small dose of exercise is that you can gradually increase the intensity as time goes on which will not lead you to a crash and hate working out. Try to make it a habit and not a chore by going too hard in the very beginning.