How to Get Your Butt to the Gym

Hello! How are you today? I’m taking a rest day from running and hitting the gym. I prefer running to pretty much anything else (except eating) so it’s not the easiest thing in the world to get myself to the gym sometimes. But, it’s good for you.

So today we’re talking about how to get yourself to the gym when you’re not motivated. This morning I woke up less than excited for the gym. I think it’s because I wanted to run instead. And because I was feeling a little lazy. Aaaand because I just wanted to get some other stuff accomplished instead of a workout.

If I wanted to I could have totally made a great excuse to NOT go to the gym. I’m good at that. But, I decided to get it together and get myself to a strength class. I need it. It’s good for me. I do walk out of the gym after proud of myself. So I did a few of my little tricks to get myself motivated to do a workout I’m not super excited about… starting with just getting ready to go.

I woke up (like this) and immediately changed into my workout gear. From there I was just like, “No b!tch you are going to the strength class. Just go and if you hate it just half ass it….” <- Ha! That’s my pep talk to myself. But whatever works, right?

How to Get Your Butt to the Gym

1. Wake up and change into your workout gear. If you’re working out at lunch or after work just change into your workout clothes and have the ‘gym debate’ in your head while already changed (maybe even in the parking lot of the gym). It makes it that much easier to make yourself do it.

You’re there. You’re ready to go. Might as well go inside and get warmed up…

Get ready. Go. See where that takes ya.

2. Tell someone. Keep yourself accountable.

If you don’t have any friends like me, announce it on twitter, instagram, facebook, to the person in front of you in the Starbucks line… whoever. Just tell someone. Even if they totally don’t care, you kinda want to do it now that you told someone.

Preferably tell someone that will make your feel like you drowned a puppy if you decided to flake out on the the gym. Better yet, tell your frenemy.

3. Plan a workout or fitness class you ENJOY.

Take a Zumba class if you want to dance. If you HATE dancing try a strength class or bootcamp.

Just make it something you like to do and will have fun with. Working out is a healthy hobby, it doesn’t have to be something you hate if you find something you like to do and look forward to even!

4. Make a realistic weekly goal like “I will go to the gym 3 times this week.”

If you have a full time job or kids or a life outside of just talking to your cat (like me) it’s hard to fit in working out. Be realistic and factor in life, driving time, getting ready, other errands when you plan your week. And PLAN your workout schedule around that. Make it do-able and set yourself up for success with a plan you can and will accomplish.

5. Just freaking GO!!!

You don’t feel like it? You’re tired? You ate like shit yesterday and don’t want to be burping up burritos and margaritas for your whole workout??

Too bad.

Sometimes we have to do things we’re not super excited about. It’s like taking a vitamin. It’s good for you. You’ll feel better after.

Just go. Save your excuses for next week.

Finally, remember this isn’t a punishment. Working out isn’t punishing your body. It’s a delayed reward. You’re going to feel so good after. You’re going to sleep better tonight. You are going to be proud of yourself for fitting it in.

Treat yourself well. Just like you should keep your house tidy and get dental check-ups and call your mom… the act may not be the highlight of your entire life but long term it makes your life better.

Okay. Who’s in?

What’s your workout today? Tomorrow??

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