Ever have one of those days when at the beginning of the day, you have high goals of wanting to work out after work but by the middle of the day the thought of going to the gym makes you want to up chuck?
Yeah, that happened to me last week. To be quite honest, it’s been happening to me a lot lately and I’m not sure why.
Once I started having a consistent work out schedule over a year ago, I really started to enjoy working out and used it as a stress release. I found myself craving the sweat and feeling of accomplishment that only working out could give me.
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Then I went on our honeymoon. It was fantastic and I wouldn’t change anything about it. I didn’t “work out” once (but did do hiking, but it wasn’t an official work out) and I fully relaxed.
But once I came back it was kind of like, “okay, now what?” in the fitness department.
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I guess I didn’t realize how much I was using the wedding as motivation to work out regularly. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing but when the wedding hoopla was over I was stuck in a rut.
I stopped having that craving for the sweat and accomplishment. I mentally beat myself up for not having the desire to work out. I kept thinking “you used to work out 5-6 times a week, why can’t you muster up the energy to at least get to the gym?!”
I hate to admit it, but sometimes I have an all or nothing attitude in different aspects in life, especially with fitness.
“Well, if I can’t make it to the gym on Monday, I might as well not go the entire week!”
That is not the way to live. That’s not even how I live healthy eating wise, so why do I live like that fitness wise?
If I have a day where I eat french fries, a Reese’s peanut butter Christmas tree (because let’s be honest, those and the egg ones are the best), and cereal do I beat myself up over it and continue to eat that way for the whole week?
Um…NO. I get up the next day and eat how I normally eat. I’ve made that “I don’t need to live all or nothing” connection with healthy eating but I haven’t made that connection with fitness…yet.
Some days, I’m really excited for the group exercise class. Other days, I have to force myself to go to the gym because I sit all day at work and know I need to move at least a little.
And some days, I resolve that working out just isn’t in the cards and go home to snuggle with Murph.
I’m still searching to find that balance with fitness. I hope that one day it won’t feel like I’m forcing myself and that I’ll just enjoy fitness for what it is. Until then, I’ll keep on keeping on.
Question: Do you struggle to find motivation to work out?
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
I did struggle with motivation until I got my routine down. One thing that really helps is getting everything ready the night before (if you want to go in the mornings). I pack my bag and set out my workout clothes before bed, so it makes it easy to get ready and go!
I love that I can relate! And I love the line about eating and how we easily get back on track but not with exercise. I was a gym go-er for years, and then I just got tired of it so I cancelled my membership (like you, it all happened once I got married!) After years of trying different things like kickboxing, playing soccer, volleyball and just doing nothing, I wanted to get back to the gym. Te key for me was finding the right gym. I now go to a gym tht offers over 160 classes a week, has 2 pools and different exercise rooms and options. I really have no excuse and I love it! The best part is, they have a kids club so my kids can also come – which really gives me no way out!!
Wow, 160 classes?! That is insane! I think I need to branch out to try different classes instead of sticking to my go tos.
My problem is the dang snooze button. It’s just so enticing.
I totally have the same problem! And I even some times bring my gym bag to work just to carry it back home with me at the end of the day — without going to the gym. I am also working on my motivation and trying to get into a routine (telling myself that going to the gym 2 times per week every week is better than nothing at all), but I struggle with it. Although I know that great feeling after going for a run — there is hardly anything better! Shouldn’t that be motivation enough?…
Ha! I laughed out loud at your first comment because I’ve done the same thing sooo many times!
I totally feel you on this. I have the all or nothing attitude in different aspects as well, especially fitness. I was all about zumba for like, two weeks, then it was like, “oooor… well, I could not go, and that’d be ok. And since I didn’t go Tuesday, why go Thursday?”
Also, the Reese’s peanut butter trees and eggs ARE the best. Ohmygosh.
Word sista.
Going with Brenton definitely helps! It’s definitely harder to get out the door in winter when it’s crappy outside.