We’d all love to be one of those people who genuinely enjoy eating healthy food and working out for hours every morning. But, let’s face it – some of us just aren’t, and that’s okay! When I see people post about their weight loss or workouts on social media I’m happy for them for about two seconds – then I’m bitter af as I sit there demolishing a cheeseburger. However, this semester, I took a plunge and committed to working out on a more consistent than ever before in my life (except in high school, when I used to shower and get ready before working out in the morning, so I’d spend the whole time trying not to sweat and mess up my hair).
We’d all love to be one of those people who genuinely enjoy eating healthy food and working out for hours every morning. But, let’s face it – some of us just aren’t, and that’s okay! When I see people post about their weight loss or workouts on social media I’m happy for them for about two seconds – then I’m bitter af as I sit there demolishing a cheeseburger. However, this semester, I took a plunge and committed to working out on a more consistent than ever before in my life (except in high school, when I used to shower and get ready before working out in the morning, so I’d spend the whole time trying not to sweat and mess up my hair).
While I certainly don’t consider myself a workout expert (nor an enthusiast) by any stretch of the imagination, here are some things that help me crawl out of bed and get my butt to the gym a few times a week.
1. Go with a friend
It is much easier to motivate yourself to workout if you know that someone else will be there with you. It’s also a lot easier to bail if you’re by yourself, but if someone else is depending on you to show up to the gym with them it can be easier to go on those days where you really don’t want to.
2. Make a plan (or steal someone else’s)
Rather than wandering aimlessly around the gym feeling defeated because you have no idea what you’re doing, make a plan ahead of time. Everything I know about working out came from my friends, my dad, or the internet. Personally, I work out 3 times per week and I have specific machines that I use each day so that I never feel lost or unsure of what to do next. It’s also important to write down the amount of weight and sets that you do with each workout, so that the next time you do that workout you know where to start. It also helps if you find way to personalize your plan and make it cute!
3. Try new things (not just cardio)
Cardio is great and a very important part of working out (I usually spend the last 15-30 minutes of my gym time on the elliptical). However, don’t JUST do cardio, especially at a gym that offers lots of other choices! Cardio alone can leave you exhausted, bored, and discouraged at not seeing your desired results.
4. Commit to a schedule
My roommate and I work out every single Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. If one of us has a conflict at our usual workout time, we reschedule for a different day; but no matter what, we always work out 3 times (or more!) per week. By setting a small goal (ie; 3 days per week instead of 7) it is easier to stick to. The first time that you let yourself skip a day or bail on a planned workout, you are teaching yourself that it’s okay to not go and your motivation will continue to lessen over time.
5. Don’t overdo it
Start with small goals! Like I said, I only go three times per week because I know that’s what I can commit to. I also started with 2 sets of 10 on each machine I used, but have worked up to 3 sets of 10 and higher weights on some of the machines. It is easier to start small and grow when you can, as opposed to starting with goals that are too high and feeling discouraged when you can’t accomplish them right away.