How to Start Exercising When You're Not Motivated!

It is not easy to start exercising when you are not motivated. Then once you get going…it’s hard to maintain your motivation during your fitness journey. Here are a few tips to get you back on track, making progress,

and staying motivated in no time!

#1 Schedule your activity time: Check your calendar weekly and determine when you can get to the gym, walk at the local park, watch a YouTube video, or meet your workout buddy. Then set an appointment on your calendar with a reminder. Treat your exercise or activity like an important meeting and canceling is not an option!

#2 Pack your gym bag: Make sure you are prepared for your workout session. Your bag should include a workout outfit, gym shoes, a towel, jump rope, and water bottle. Have your gym bag packed and ready to go on Monday morning. At the very least keep a pair of gym shoes in your trunk for an impromptu walk or workout session.

#3 Update your playlist: Treat yourself to some new songs! Find upbeat, high energy tracks to motivate you to push harder through your workout. Then find some slow tempo or instrumental songs for your cool down/stretching time. Finally, put all the songs together and create a playlist that you will play throughout your workout to keep you moving around.

If you are not into “working out”, then you can also play upbeat music while cleaning the house, doing laundry, or cooking dinner...so you get the extra boost of activity!

#4 Get a Support System: Find like-minded individual(s) who are serious about fitness and a healthy lifestyle. Plan to meet and workout, this keeps you both on track and accountable. Join a group online, check-in daily, and share your progress. It is a great time to get new recipes, suggestions, positive feedback, and encouragement.

#5 Create a workout plan: Have a plan when you start your workout session and you will see positive results. You can alternate areas of focus and workout locations (local park, walking trail, or school track). One day you can focus on your upper body, lower body, ab work, and cardio. It really helps to have a workout plan, so you do not get bored and plus it keeps your body guessing!

Start with one item on the list and add another item the following week.

Don’t beat yourself up on the day you fell short, just start over with your next move. The goal is to be productive not perfect, that’s the key to getting motivated!