1. Distinguish between mental and physical burnout.
On those days when you're "too tired" to exercise, ask yourself whether it's your brain or muscles that are fried. If it's the latter, give yourself a break, but if it's the former, get your booty moving! Many times, my lack of energy comes from being pissed off about something stupid, or from stressing about things I have no control over. Going to the gym is the last thing I want to do, but by 15 minutes into the workout those problems don't seem quite so big anymore. Learn to use exercise as a time to zone out, to daydream or to just enjoy "me" time. That being said, listen to your body- if it's begging for a rest day (or two), don't be afraid to take it!
2. Make it a habit, and once it is, don't break it.
I like the sleep/shower analogy. There are nights when I get less sleep than I should, and periods of time when I go way to long without washing my hair (grossness, I know), but that doesn't mean that I let myself turn into an insomniac zombie or give up on hygiene completely. Unless you have an injury or medical condition, some form of exercise is essential to good health. You don't have to work out every day or even every other day, but make a schedule, and stick to it- regular exercise will be a habit before you know it.
3. Figure out what motivates you the most personally.
In the short term, buying a new song for my iPod or renting a movie I've been dying to see makes me excited on those days I'm not really feeling it. Long-term, training for races really gets me going! Figure out what helps you to love exercise, and remind yourself of that constantly. Maybe it's treating yourself to new gear every once in awhile, getting to chat with a friend while taking a power walk, or being able to match your significant other pushup for pushup. Vain reasons like bikini season are okay too- just make sure you don't lose sight of the most important reason for exercise: your health!
4. Make exercise fun.
You're ten times more likely to do something you enjoy. I hate lifting weights, so I often find myself slacking when I try to incorporate that into my routine by itself. That's why I'm so glad to have found BodyPump, which flies by for me! Exercise doesn't have to be done in the confinement of a gym, in the heat of a yoga studio, on the seat of a spin bike or outside in the sub-zero temps of winter. Experiment with what environment and routines work best for you.
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Speaking of exercise, this morning I had another awesome BodyPump class!! I had a new-to-me instructor, and my shoulders and biceps were literally quivering at the end of class. No more scrawny arms for moi :)
Pre-class, I had a bowl of Cheerios with blackberries and almond milk:
And now, I'm snacking on a chocolate brownie Larabar. I'm headed over to a friend's in a bit to make lunch, so I just needed something to tide me over.
Calico says have a good afternoon!
She's keeping my chair warm for me while I'm gone :)
How do you stay motivated to work out? What are your best tips and tricks for making exercise fun?
