Get your workout plan back on track.
It’s okay to admit; the gym is no fun.
There are a few select and rare people who find some enjoyment out of their time at the gym but for most of us, it’s a real struggle just to force ourselves to get there. However, regular exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle regardless of how unpleasant it is at times. If you find yourself disillusioned with the gym and unable to get your workout schedule back on track, here are some motivational methods to get you back at it.
Forgive yourself.
The very first thing you need do is to put yourself in a positive mindset. We can sometimes be hard on ourselves for neglecting our exercises. If you start telling yourself that you just don’t have what it takes to get into shape, you may start to convince yourself. Push those thoughts out of your mind and forgive yourself from slipping into a funk. There is nothing wrong with you that prevents you from getting regular exercise, you just may need to overcome some mental barriers.
Get some audio aids.
If the gym isn’t your thing. then it’s helpful to distract yourself during your workout. Latch onto the something that makes the whole experience a little more bearable. Put together a playlist of pump-up songs that will motivate you, an engrossing podcast, or an audiobook you just can’t put down. Hopefully this will not only make your trips to the gym tolerable, but maybe even something you look forward to.
Understand what’s holding you back.
Having a bit of self-awareness can be very helpful for motivation. Part of that self-awareness comes down to understanding why you’re having trouble in the first place. Are you tired of your normal workout routine? Are you dismayed by an unrealistic goal? Do you feel there isn’t enough time in the day to get to the gym? Identify the obstacle then you can work to move past it.
Add it into your schedule.
Going back to the last point, saying you don’t have time to exercise is a cop-out. If your schedule if truly too packed to fit in regular and healthy exercise, then your schedule needs to be reworked. Put a trip to the gym into your schedule and try to make it at the same time each day. Before work, after work, lunch hour—establishing a habit will help make it part of your routine.
Get a gym buddy.
A difficult task is always made easier if you’re not alone. Find a gym buddy to help share the time with. This can help to make it less of a chore and more of a social activity. Just make sure you and your buddy are motivators for each other and not enablers for all the times you want to quit or skip out.
Remind yourself why you want this.
What are your goals? What makes you want to get back to the gym? Keep reminding yourself until those goals are reached.