Struggling with Your Workout Routine? 6 Tips to Keep You Motivated
Working out from home is not easy. Having the right tools and mindset though, you’ll be able to keep yourself motivated to crush your workouts.
Photo by Mackenzie Gaultier Photography
When your BFF comes over for wine night and can’t stop talking about the killer workouts she had this past week and how amazing she feels, what thoughts creep into your mind? It could sound something like this:
Wow, she’s so strong and dedicated, that’s amazing!
Dang, she looks as good as she probably feels.
Why can’t I be that enthused about working out?
How does anyone have time to workout THAT much?
Seriously body, get your act together and stop making this so difficult.
If you’re someone who is already in a dedicated workout routine (no matter how small or big it may be), then I clap my hands for you because it’s challenging to get there. For those who aren’t there, this is for you.
It’s time to shift our thoughts about working out. You often hear people say they need to work out because of what they ate on the weekend or because summer is quickly approaching, and your body isn’t up to standard.
Did you notice a connection to these reasons? They’re about punishment to our body and mental wellbeing for what we did in the past or what we haven’t done.
Working out should never be about punishing your body for enjoying something or trying to make up for lost time. A good, healthy workout should focus on improving your quality of life both physically and mentally.
So, consider this your first tip to look at – change your mindset on what a workout means to you. There are tons of positive points to focus on instead:
Exercise to feel good.
Workout to show yourself that you are stronger than you think.
Workout to get your health back on track (especially if the doctor recommends it).
Exercise to enjoy the endorphin boost.
Need some more motivation? Continue on for five additional tips that could help you stay focused, dedicated, and motivated to kick ass with your workout routine.
Look at What You’re Doing First
Not every workout is the same, just like you won’t enjoy every workout available. That’s why it’s fantastic to see such a variety of workout styles to try out.
You should enjoy your workout. By doing something you like, you’re more likely to stick with it than create excuses for why you can’t squeeze in a run, gym session, or lunch hour barre class.
Take a moment to examine what your workout routine is and ask yourself these questions:
Are you trying to do too much at the beginning? Don’t expect your body can take on the most difficult task right off the bat. You need to ease into things so you build the strength to challenge yourself.
Are you doing the same thing each day? You need to add variety to your workout regime. Doing the same thing over and over again becomes tiring and boring, making it less likely for you to stick with it.
Does it fit your schedule? A consistent workout is something you can easily sneak into your schedule. That’s why it’s good to have a variety of exercises you can do, especially during those busy weeks.
Ease Up On the Pressure
We are our worst critics.
How much pressure are you putting on yourself to lose weight or get into shape? Too much pressure to get a workout routine going can easily cause someone to give up before even starting. It’s that feeling of, “well, I’ll never be able to achieve this, so why even bother,” that takes over.
You can link this tip with point one of changing your mindset on working out. Remove the intense pressure, whether it’s coming from yourself, your family, the outside world, or anywhere else. A workout should focus on what you want out of it and what you’re physically capable of doing, not what everyone around you is attempting (and maybe even hurting themselves).
Start Slow and Increase When You’re Ready
This leads us into point four – don’t take on more than you’re physically capable of doing. Just because your friend is going to the gym five days a week and running for an hour every morning, that doesn’t mean you should be doing the same thing. In fact, you’re more likely to hurt yourself if you jump into a workout routine that is far past your physical capabilities.
Even if you used to work out frequently but had to take some time off, you can’t expect to jump into a workout routine that an Olympian would do. It’s just not healthy to do so.
One of the best ways to stay dedicated to a workout routine is to start at the bottom – the smallest amount of reps, with the lowest weights, for the shortest duration and frequency. Once you can power through that (and don’t rush it), then you start to increase the reps, weights, duration, and frequency one at a time.
Take On One Thing at a Time
Just like you shouldn’t dive headfirst into a heavy-duty workout routine, you also shouldn’t expect to do everything at once. Again, taking on too much too soon is a quick way to discourage yourself, hurt your body, and ultimately cause you to give up.
If your plan is to lift weights three times a week, stretch for 20 minutes every day, and go for a 30-minute run five days a week, break it down into small, achievable goals.
For example, start by lifting small weights one day a week, go for a 15-minute walk three days, and stretch for five minutes before bed during the week. Give that a week or two then increase it a bit. Lift small weights for two days and up your walk by five minutes. You can make the adjustments however you want, just keep them attainable.
The point being, what your end-goal is shouldn’t be where you start.
Mix In Different Styles and Activities
Working out doesn’t mean you have to go to the gym and pump weights. If you’re anything like me, then you hate going to the gym. It’s scary, intimidating, and have no idea what the hell you’re doing.
Your workout routine could include a day at the gym with a trainer, yoga at home for one day, and one day attending a group fitness class.
If you really struggle with staying dedicated, then fitness classes are where it’s at. You’re more likely to keep going and remain dedicated because you’re spending money on it and get to be around like-minded people.
Fitness classes tend to be a bit more money than a gym membership or working from home. However, remember what you’re paying for – the workout, the instruction from the teacher (hopefully a properly trained instructor), the atmosphere, and the motivation. So, find one that you really enjoy.
There you have it – six relatively easy and doable tips to help with your workout routine. It’s all about moderation and setting yourself up for success.
Remember, soreness will likely happen. However, this “no pain no gain” mindset can do more harm than good. There’s a difference between having sore muscles because you gave them a little push, and muscles that hurt so much you can barely make it through the day. Incorporate a rest day(s) every week to allow your muscles to recover.
Since you’re reading this on a barre fitness blog, I have to make my plug – add a barre fitness class to your workout routine at least once a week. The workout style is unique compared to other workouts, and you’re building muscle endurance and flexibility at the same time. Plus, it’s so much fun!
How do you stay motivated to keep up with your workout routine? Post in the comments below.