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

We often think of “fitness” as something that has to be intense. A bootcamp-style class filled with endless cardio, weight lifting, crossfit and lots of pain. Yes these are a common type of workouts but it is not the only ones out there.There are so many creative ways to incorporate wellness and exercise in our lives that don’t have to look like going to the gym.We have to keep in mind that it’s not just about lifting weights; swimming, boxing, aerobics, pilates, zumba class all count as physical activity too.Fitness isn’t one-size-fits-all; it’s about finding what works for you, if you try a certain type of workout and don’t love it, you’re going to start having negative associations with exercise. That’s why it’s important to find a physical activity you actually enjoy and will show up for it.

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.

7. Exercise shouldn’t exhaust you (it should recharge you)

Please change your mindset when it comes to exercise! Stop looking at it like it’s a stressful thing that’s going to exhaust you. Exercise should be perceived as an invigorating activity that will make you feel energized when you have completed it. Doesn’t that sound much better? Start with a simple movement like morning walk. You could even buy a jump rope, begin with a set of 50 hops, and give yourself the goal of doing 10 more per day.

8. Go for good enough

something is better than nothing. Likewise, a 5 minute movement is better than no movement at all. The way our mind is set up sometimes is we think in order to feel like we accomplished something, we need this amazing, heart-pumping workout, where we reach a euphoric state. But I want you to completely change your thinking on this. Play with the idea that good enough is simply just that, good enough. Even a mediocre workout is better than none at all. Even a crappy workout is better than none. Eliminate the idea that a workout has to be AH-MAZING in order to be good. If you did it, it’s perfect!