11 Awesome Motivating Workout Tips You Haven't Tried
In the past 10 or so years that I’ve been really working out (I mean, not just messing about to my mum and dad’s workout DVDs as a 9-year-old), I’ve got into more exercise funks than I can count. Whether it’s a random day of the week, a body-image trigger, or the after-holiday blues, I’m always bound to bump in to one eventually.
From this, I realised that figuring out why I’ve stopped working out as often and addressing how to get over it is the best way to get myself back into the gym.
I know that there are a ton of tips and resources on getting out of a workout rut out here on the internet that you can find, but here are a few of my favourites that you probably haven’t seen!
1. Wash your hair only on workout days/save water
One of the best ways to motivate yourself to follow through with your workouts is to limit your hair washing habits to the days you actually workout. By using hair washing as a reward for your workout, you’re more likely to follow through. Think about it like this: if you don’t work out for a week, you’ll have to face going out with grubby, greasy hair, and the watchful eyes of everyone outside - including friends and colleagues.
I don’t know about you, but I find this to be a BIG motivator, (especially since my curly hair is prone to bad bedheads).
If you want to go even further, you could apply this rule to all of your showering habits. No exercise = no showers. Since you likely shower every day, you’ll probably find yourself working harder during your actual workout in anticipation of your ‘reward’ without realizing it, which makes pushing yourself more enjoyable.
2. Never skip two days in a row
Make this a rule of thumb: never let yourself skip working out for two days straight (and the same goes for ‘treat days’). If you do this, 2 days might become 3, 3 into 4, etc. (you get the picture). You’ll be putting yourself into a bad routine, and from there, other negative habits might start to develop and you’ll lose a large amount of motivation. Believe me, I’ve been there, as this happens to me during the holidays.
Once this happens it’ll be 10x harder to get back into a good flow with your workout/healthy eating plan. You might as well be starting from scratch.
Instead, make sure that you try to fit something in every day, regardless of for how long. Even a 10-minute walking workout can make the difference in keeping you inspired to keep going.
The key is to keep yourself feeling like you are moving forward, which even small amounts of activity can do for you. Once that stops, you’ll start thinking things like, “well, what’s the point”.
3. Remember The Why
Sometimes the most over-looked motivations can be the most obvious and effective. When you find yourself wanting to skip going for that run, or lifting those weights, never let yourself forget why you started doing these things in the first place.
For me, when I find myself lacking motivation or starting to develop a negative mind set, I like to think about what got me started, and how finishing my routine after giving it my all will make me feel and help me progress. For example, when I’m on my NordicTrack skier, and I feel myself getting frustrated and wanting to stop because my legs are tiring out, I imagine myself in the future being able to go for a longer period of time without stopping, due to the effort I am putting in at that moment.
I imagine feeling stronger, and being able to use that newfound resistance to help advance my running skills. I imagine how I felt when I put on my favourite jean-shorts and found they’d become tight, and I imagine how it will feel like to be able to wear them with 100% confidence again.
Those little things, those little goals and memories will help keep you motivated more than you think. Remember where and why you started, and ask yourself: do you really want to start over again because you’re getting tired, or don’t feel like it?
4. Make a Bet
Think about satisfying it is when you win a bet. Now think about how gratifying it would be to win a bet, hit a benchmark in your goal list, and be rewarded. Let’s admit it, sometimes you need a little ‘tangible’ motivation.
Strike up an agreement, or make a bet with someone who can (and will) help you stick to meeting your goals. Make a 10-pound weight loss worth $10, or a free theme park visit.
Adding a bit of fun and friendly competition to your journey can make a world of difference, and comes with some sweet benefits too!
5. Get Inspired by fitness bloggers
It might not always feel like it, but health and fitness bloggers are just like normal people too. Whether they’re competitive bodybuilders or stay-at-home moms in the middle of their journey, they have pizza binge days and bad weigh-ins too (and that’s okay).
Sometimes following someone else along on their candid health and fitness journey can help give you some context and motivation for you on yours.
By keeping up others’ honest struggles and wins, you can use their experiences to motivate yourself. If they can do it, so can you!
6. Become an Olympian
Sometimes, when a workout gets tough, when I feel my legs starting to buckle, when I feel my arms getting sore, I find myself wanting to quite more than anything in the world. In those moments, I imagine that I am a professional athlete and there are thousands of people in the stands pushing for me to win.
It might be a bit cliché (and perhaps embarrassing?) but the idea of peer and competitive pressure usually workout like a charm to bring back my motivation to keeping going.
Play your favorite tune, close your eyes, and imagine yourself crossing the finish line. It works.
7. Do it for the food
If you’re a foodie (like me) and all else fails, it’s time to bring out the big one: food, glorious food! When not even the promise of stronger arms and a smaller waist keeps you on track, I always to turn to food (or any other favorite treats) as an alternative means of inspiration.
I like to set a time, be it once a week or once a month where, if I meet my workout quota, I can indulge in my favorite meals. Because (I’m not afraid to say it) I like to eat, I feel like this gives me a healthy balance between nutrition and activity.
Plus, because I usually do this with a partner, getting excited about eating a more indulgent brunch together is a fun source of motivation!
8. Make Sticky notes your friends
Stick motivational notes everywhere. When I say everywhere, I mean E-V-E-R-Y-W-H-E-R-E. In your car, on your mirror, on (and in) the fridge, on your calendar, etc., etc.
Put up motivational pictures and quotes, and write your goal weight everywhere you can. That constant reminder will help you remember why you are in this, and what you are working for when you pick up your sneakers and gym bag. Repetition, repetition, repetition.
9. Pair it with a podcast
Try saving and allowing yourself to listen to your favourite playlist, podcast, audiobook, or favourite show only when you’re on the treadmill or working out.
This will keep you motivated to work out every day as you’ll want to find out what happens next in your show or book.
I mean hey, who knows, you might find yourself counting down the hours and looking forward to exercising just to do so!
10. Utilize Monday momentum
Ever hear the phrase, “start off on the right foot”? Well, that applies to workout weeks too. Whether or not you make sure to exercise on a Monday will likely determine your success later in the week.
If you skip working out on Monday, then it won’t be as hard to skip on Tuesday, or on Wednesday, and the cycle will continue. Before you know you’ll be right back to ‘well, I’ll start on Monday’ again.
I know, I’ve fallen into this spiral more times than I’d like to admit. Momentum can either be your friend or your worst enemy, so it’s important the set the proper tone right from the start.
11. Workout for the high
Last but not least, try getting addicted to working out. You know that high, bouncy, on-top-of-the-world feeling you get at the end of a workout? That’s caused by endorphins released during your exercise.
Use the knowledge that you’ll get a massive endorphin rush at the end of your workout to give you motivation.
If you need to, keep a book or app where you can write down exactly how good you feel at the end of your workouts. When you’re having a down day, looking over it and remembering how awesome you felt will give you that boost you need to throw on your leggings and go for that run.