Samantha Immer

Its the new year and the weight loss/fitness resolutions have been made. Gyms are flooded with people awash in the new year’s glow with plenty of determination and grit. For the first….month? 2 weeks? less?

Motivation only lasts for so long. Then its time to enact discipline and habit. I definitely don’t feel like going to the gym every day, but at this point its not something I fight with myself over- I just go. Here’s a couple things I’ve done before when working out is the last thing I  want to do.

Pre Gym Routine

Having a routine is key. It makes the gym just another part of your day, like getting ready for work, or making dinner. I go to the gym straight from work so I change at work and go straight there before going home. When I used to workout before work I would layout my workout clothes the night before and know exactly what time I had to wake up and be out of bed to have enough time to workout. Routines are all about setting yourself up for success. Do things your future self will thank you for.

I also take a pre workout that I LOVE (it tastes like sour candy) and once I drink that I have to do some sort of physical activity. I also pre choose a podcast episode or music playlist that I really want to listen to and that I will only allow myself to listen to at the gym.

Be Honest

Be honest with yourself about why you don’t want to go. Do you really need to rest? Don’t get me wrong rest is important too! I have 2-3 rest days a week. But, a lot of times we use rest as a crutch. Really evaluate. If you’re too sore, or getting sick, stuff like that- all valid reasons. You can push through being tired or just not wanting to go, or “not having enough time”. Do you know how effective just a 30 minute workout can be?? You can sacrifice watching an episode of The Office to workout (or watch it at the gym, boom!). 

Set Deadlines

Set a real goal. Not I want to lose 20lbs this year, because that’s too big of a time span. Pick something that’s actually going to motivate you. For example, sign up for a half marathon/10k/5k, aim for an amount of weight you want to lift, or fitting into that dress/pants in 2 months. Deadlines help keep you on track. You don’t want to get to your goal date and not be ready.

When I was training for my first half marathon I signed up 6 months in advance (you can read more about that here). When I ordered my wedding dress, I ordered it 4 sizes smaller than I was at that time. You better believe having tangible things like that helped get my butt to the gym or out on a run when I didn’t want to go.

Love it

If you’re having one of those days where you just don’t feel like showing up pick a workout you love. Do a fun class, or train your favorite muscle group, take your dog for a run. Structure and workout plans are great but if the difference between a workout happening and skipping that day is what “planned” workout you have- pick the one you love. Its more important to do something than to skip.

Be accountable

Talk about your goals to people! Sometimes it isn’t enough to hold yourself accountable. Ask a friend or family member to help encourage you to get to the gym when you’re struggling. Being reminded of your goals from someone else can be the little extra push to make that workout happen. 

I’m a visual person. So I started keeping track of my workouts by using a calendar template on my phone and putting emojis on the days I workout. I use 3-4 different ones to indicate what workout was done that day (cardio, running, strength training, rest, etc). In one glance I’m able to see how many days I’ve been active. Sometime just that is an accountability boost. For some reason seeing that icon on a calendar feels really good. 

The most important thing is that working out is fun and sustainable! Not every day is going to be amazing, or easy to go to the gym. Its the overall feel to focus on. Remember to be gentle with yourself if you don’t make it, but don’t be afraid to push yourself and crush your goals!