With winter just around the corner, it can be difficult to be motivated to exercise. Here are some ways to get yourself to go to the gym.
Buy cute workout clothes
Buying cute athletic apparel can make you want to go to the gym to flaunt your new clothes. Looking cute will also give you more confidence at the gym, which is an important part of working out. If you look good, you’ll feel good as well!
Pick a specific number of times to work out in a week
One effective method is to only decide how many times you are going to exercise in a week instead of choosing certain days, as it might be difficult to stick to a strict schedule due to schoolwork and unforeseen circumstances. Start with once or twice a week, then gradually increase the number of times until you get into the habit of going often. If you become self-disciplined enough, you can try assigning specific days and times in order to get your body in a regular routine.
Work out with friends
Have accountability buddies — or even just one friend — to motivate you. Regardless of whether or not they physically go with you to the gym, having them keep you accountable will make it harder for you to skip out on your workouts. Knowing that there is somebody keeping track of your gym sessions will make you more inclined to follow through with your fitness plans.
Take progress photos
Visualizing your progress is a good way to motivate yourself to work out more, as you can directly see that it makes a change in your body. People sometimes lose their desire to go to the gym regularly because they don’t see dramatic changes in how they look. Taking a photo regularly, whether it be every day or only every time you exercise, will allow you to see the changes in your body.
Set specific goals for yourself
Instead of just going to the gym with broad goals like “to be healthy” or “to lose weight,” think of explicit goals that you actually want to achieve. Think of actual changes you want to see in yourself. If you are self-conscious about any part of your body, take action and go to the gym with the mindset that you are going to better yourself. This helps with confidence and can be a physical and mental benefit for you. For example, if you are insecure about your arms, do some cardio and exercises that target the arm area. If you want a bigger booty, go to the gym to do some squats!