As we get deeper into fall, the weather is getting cooler and the days are getting shorter. With many of us spending less time outdoors than we did during summer, it’s easy to become less active and less motivated to get moving each day. With that in mind I thought it’d be helpful to share some tips for motivating yourself to exercise on those days when you just don’t feel like it.
Have a workout playlist.
Put together songs that will get you feeling energized. Music that’s easy to move to. You can also have more than one playlist. I have a workout mix that I like to listen to for most of my workouts, but then I have a second mix just for cardio since I need extra motivation (I’m not a huge fan of cardio). My lists are pop-heavy, some favorites are “Work B**ch” by Britney Spears, “Applause” by Lady Gaga, “Only Girl (In The World)” by Rhianna, and “I Like It” by Enrique Inglesis and Pitbull.
Make it an appointment.
Block off some time on your calendar for exercise and treat it like any other appointment. I will say this is not something that works for me personally, but I know many people have found this helpful. If you are the type of person that will stick to whatever you have written in your calendar, give it a shot!
Sleep in your workout clothes.
It might sound weird, but think about how much easier it will be to get started in the morning. You’re already dressed for your workout, so all you need to do is put on your shoes and get going! P.S. Don’t forget your water bottle 🙂
Get inspired.
Surround yourself with images and quotes that will keep you on the right track. These could be physical images you have hung on a wall or quotes written in your planner. You could also keep some digital motivation handy on a Pinterest board or from following a hashtag on Instagram.
Think about how it makes you feel.
Exercise gives you an endorphin rush. Think about how amazing you’ll feel after your workout! You can even keep a log of how your body feels post-workout to reference. I know I can keep myself on track by remembering how much better my body feels day-to-day when I workout regularly.
Set small goals.
It’s much easier to stick to a workout routine with small, realistic goals that you can easily achieve and build upon overtime. This doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t feel challenging, your workout should feel challenging to the point that you feel like you’re progressing. What it does mean is avoiding situations where you’re likely to have trouble keeping up, leading you to fall behind and feel defeated. If you’ve never run before in your life, don’t wake up one day and decide that in two weeks you’re going to run a marathon. You can get to a marathon eventually, but you need to start with a mile, and then in time a 5k.
Start with walking.
If you like to listen to audio books, podcasts, or music, try getting up and walking while you listen. It’s a great way to get yourself moving. As we get further into fall and it starts getting dark much earlier, see if you can squeeze in a 15-minute walk at lunch or during a break if you can’t make it home before sunset. Don’t let fall and winter keep you from your 10,000 steps!
Find a routine you can do at home.
It’s much easier to talk yourself into workout you can do at home than it is to get yourself to the gym. A quick Google search for no-equipment workouts will give you tons of options that you can do right from your own home. There’s also many pieces of inexpensive workout equipment like dumbells, kettlebells, and resistance bands that you can buy to make yourself a mini home gym. This will give you tons of workout options and you don’t have to go anywhere! No need to brave the cold and snow.
I hope this helps! How do you motivate yourself to workout when you’re feeling sluggish? Let me know in the comments!