It happens to all of us; that feeling of not wanting to hit the gym, choosing instead to stay on the couch with a bag of chips and a 2 liter of soda. While missing a workout here and there isn’t necessarily a fitness killer, if allowed to go on too long, it can set you farther back from reaching your goals. You know all of this but finding the motivation can sometimes feel like a workout itself. How can you stay motivated and avoid workout burnout?
Workout Earlier
As the day wears on, work demands, family errands, and other responsibilities make it hard to keep fitness a priority. Lack of sleep can cause you to feel less energized, making it even harder to lace up those sneakers. One way to combat this is to set your alarm for an early morning workout. Even though you may just want to hit snooze on the alarm, a good morning workout can give you an energy boost to make your day go smoother. It could even help you sleep better at night.
Set Realistic Goals
If you start a new workout regimen that demands hours per day, you may be setting yourself up for failure. Start with adding 30 minutes of exercise per day. A good routine to follow is strength training three days per week, a brisk 30-minute walk three days per week, and a rest day. If you don’t have 30 minutes to spare, divide it into 10-minute increments. The more you move your body, the more your body will crave the movement, making exercise a habit instead of a chore.
Reward Yourself
Remember those gold star stickers your teacher would put on your papers at school? Those were motivators to keep you working hard. Find ways to reward yourself when you stick to a workout plan. Decide on weekly goals to hit and give yourself a treat when you meet them. Knowing there is a reward at the end of a week can be the perfect way to keep you moving.
Cut Yourself Some Slack
Sometimes life hands you more than you can handle, and you don’t have a choice but to skip a workout day. Don’t beat yourself up. Instead, use that missed workout to motivate you to work even harder. Remember that fitness is a journey, not a destination.
Staying motivated can be difficult, but if fitness becomes your lifestyle, it will be easier to rekindle the love you have for it. If you need help staying motivated, Apex can help. Our personal trainers know how to help you fall in love with fitness. Contact us today and let us help you.
