How I Stay Motivated to Workout!

Balancing a full-time job and finding time to work out can be difficult. Sometimes it seems like there are just not enough hours in a day. I am a firm believer that you find time in your day for the things you want to do. If there’s not time, it’s just simply not a priority in your life. I have compiled some of my top tips on how I stay motivated, and how I prioritize movement in my daily routine:

1. Find a workout that you LOVE!

This may seem obvious, but if you love what you are doing, you will want to do it more. I have tried weightlifting, pilates, spin, and all sorts of workouts that just didn’t leave me wanting MORE. They were fine, they got the job done, but I simply didn’t love them. I knew I needed something more. My best friend got me into running, at the beginning of college. During quarantine, I begin to take my friend’s (Jabs by Gina) classes. I do yoga videos online, when in the mood. I find that these workouts are ones that I am willing to wake up early for, are always the ones worth doing.

2. Just start moving!

When I am feeling unmotivated, I give myself 5 minutes. Just 5 minutes to get into a workout. If I am still feeling tired and sluggish after these 5 minutes, I will stop. More times than not, my body will wake up and I will feel energized and ready to go. If not, I know it’s time for my body to rest. Listen to the signals!

3. Fuel your body & hydrate

When your body is feeling its best, you will have so much more energy and motivation. If I eat foods that don’t agree with my body, I feel sluggish and lazy the next day. While that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy all different types of foods, I do so in moderation. If I know I want to do a long run or a hard workout the next morning, I will eat foods that leave me feeling my best. Going along with that, staying hydrated is also SO important! Drinking enough water helps keep your joints healthy, allows your blood cells to get more oxygen, and will make any exercise so much easier.

4. Write down your workouts

Whether or not I stick to a specific schedule, I ALWAYS write down the workouts I want to do in a week. This gives me accountability and purpose for my workouts. Instead of aimlessly thinking of ways to get movement in, writing a schedule keeps me focused & motivated.

5. Keep it fun

When I am not feeling 100% motivated, I think of ways to get movement in that are going to be fun and exciting. Whether this is trying a new class, going for a hike, long walk, skiing, etc., there are so many ways to get movement in that I will be excited. I find it important to incorporate these often, as they always leave me feeling happy and fulfilled. Some days, my body will be craving a hard, sweaty session, while other times a peaceful yoga flow is what I need. It’s all about listening to your body and finding the workout that feels best at that time.

I hope that you all enjoyed these tips and give them a try in your own life. For me, working out should always be enjoyable, and leave me feeling energized. Thanks for reading!

- Aubs