But I Don't Wanna Go!: Finding Gym Motivation When You Have None



I like the gym.  I honestly do, but today I woke up and just wasn’t ready to go.  “After this cup of tea,” I thought... and then another... after I finish some school work, I’ll go.  Well, a few too many Real Housewives episodes later and well into the late afternoon, I finally dragged myself off the couch and into the car en route to the gym.  I had a serious internal dialogue throughout the day thinking that perhaps I should have a rest day.  Maybe I’ll just start again tomorrow.  I could just do a few sit-ups here in the living room.  But alas, I didn’t give in to that kind of self talk.  I made it.  I did it.  And it feels darn good too.  

I’m sure I’m not the only one that shares this sentiment.  I certainly am by no means a “fitness girl”.  I don’t make it a lifestyle.  Priority, yes.  Lifestyle, no.  There is a difference.  So it’s easy for me to slip in and out of shape pretty quickly if I fall off the gym pattern.  How do I keep myself motivated?  I happen to have a few pretty effective techniques up my sleeve.

  1. Look online for visual motivation.  If I’m talking myself out of going to the gym, I’m often loafing around and wasting my life online.  Good thing I have a pretty intimidating Pinterest board glorifying the bodies I dream of possessing one of these days.  For me, it's a real inspiration, and gets me moving almost every time.  If you don’t have Pinterest, you can literally cut pictures out of magazines that you admire and put them somewhere you will see them consistently.  It has always worked for me because it reminds me that every day counts and is getting me one step closer (or further from) my goals.
  2. Find a go-to workout song.  Once you’re at the gym, you need to get excited about your workout or you’re liable to cut reps short or not really push yourself in an effort to be done faster.  Music can do this for me.  Find a song that makes you push a little harder, and use it to kickstart your workout.  At the moment, mine is Play Hard by Krewella, followed by pretty much anything Aviccii Radio.  It’s an instant energy boost giving me confidence to push forward.
  3. Visualize yourself in that bikini.  Yes, THAT bikini.  The super hot one you just bought and are waiting to show off at your next beach/pool day.  If you don’t have one, I challenge you to go out and buy a skimpy bikini you love with the full intention of wearing it.  Think about how much better it will look on the fit body you are working on.  When I visualize myself in this bikini, I can literally feel the fat melting off of my body.  I push myself to do more.  It’s as much of a mental game as a physical one.  You’ve got to stay focused and think about the goal while you are exercising.  
  4. Stay close to a mirror when possible.  Facing a mirror, I am really able to focus on my form.  It helps me to see the areas I want to work on, or more often, see the progress I am making, motivating me to continue on.  
  5. Keep a log of the days that you exercise.  It doesn’t have to be in depth, but seeing the number of days that you have worked out will make you feel proud and inspire you to keep going.  I literally used to give myself a sticker on the calendar every time I worked out.  (Yea, I know, I’m like a little kid.)  The stickers really worked and I kept going to the gym because I wanted to get another sticker.  I hung it in my bedroom and my boyfriend knew what it was, so he’d always give me props when he saw a lot of stickers up there. :)  

If you’re struggling to find motivation in fitness, try these tips.  What is your go-to fitness motivator?  Because I might need some more tomorrow!  

3 comments

  1. Do you have an IG? I find the "fitfam" gals are most inspiring and give daily motivation from fitness, food ideas, etc.

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    Replies
    1. Wow, yes, I would say you are right. Perfectly fit without looking bulky. Have to start following that one!

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