Let’s face it, ladies. It’s not every day that you crave a 30-second plank or dare to do 50 push-ups. But here’s the thing about working out: those who last win.
If you want to see results, it’s not enough that you know how to do high-intensity interval training (HIIT) or plyometrics. You have to be consistent, and that includes exercising regularly.
So how do you motivate yourself to work out on days when you hate exercising? Here are some ideas to try:
1. Wear Your Best Workout Clothes
Here’s one good reason to invest in high-quality workout gear: it can inspire you to move. In one of the surveys participated by over 1,500 men and women who go to the gym, an overwhelming 90 percent claimed they felt more motivated to exercise just by their clothes.
The best-looking workout clothes can make you feel more confident in how you appear and what you can do. You know that you can execute movements properly because your apparel is flexible.
Pairing your moisture-wicking leggings or shorts and tops with workout headbands for women can also help solve one of the common annoying (and, yes, disgusting) problems when working out: sweat.
These headbands can keep your hair away from your face and, most of all, prevent the beads of sweat from hurting your eyes. Moisture-wicking clothes can promote the feeling of freshness even if it feels you’ve been in a sauna for 20 minutes.
And even if you’re not heading to the gym for some serious workout, wearing your exercise apparel is likely to stimulate more natural movements, such as standing more frequently or cleaning the house.
2. Get a Buddy
Do you ever wonder why we seem to succeed in the workplace and at school? These places have one thing in common: an accountability partner. When you’re at work, there’s your boss or manager to coach and offer you tasks that can help you grow. At school, you have a teacher to ensure you’re doing your activities on time.
Applying the same concept to your fitness goal can also produce similar results. In a 2016 research by the University of Aberdeen, people who find a new workout companion were more likely to increase their amount of exercise. They might work out even more frequently if this person turns out to be emotionally supportive.
In fact, getting an accountability fitness partner is so influential that even a cyber buddy is still better than not having any at all.
Searching for a buddy these days is super easy. Begin with your list of friends or make your mom or sister a jogging partner. You can look for women’s fitness groups on social media, especially Facebook, or join virtual challenges like climbing Mount Everest.
3. Go Easy
The meh days are the best times to go easy on yourself and your routine. Do not beat yourself up if you cannot complete five sets of circuit training. In the same manner, you may want to make your exercise routine more flexible to accommodate those times when you prefer rolling on your bed than on your yoga mat.
Here are some tips on how to go easy:
• Divide your workout times into increments
For example, if you are used to exercising for 30 minutes a day, you may break this down into three intervals on days when you struggle to move. You can spend 10 minutes in the morning (as soon as you wake up), 10 minutes around lunchtime (to help keep you awake), and another 10 minutes as soon as you’re done with work.
• Consider doing restorative yoga
Restorative yoga is a practice that promotes more restful, uncomplicated poses (asanas) held for prolonged periods using tools, such as blocks, bolsters, and sometimes blankets and, yes, pillows. In other words, this gets you moving and stretching while giving you rest in between.
• Walk
Walking is the simplest, easiest, and most effective exercise—perfect for days when lifting a kettlebell doesn’t appeal to you. It still works out your primary muscle groups, such as your hamstring and even the core (with proper posture), and it directs your attention away from your ho-hum day by letting you engage with natural sights and sounds.
• Move
If none of these structured workouts inspire you, then move. Walk around the kitchen, play with your pets, dance to your favorite music, stretch while reading a book, or stand for at least 20 minutes in between commercials or work.
Even the fittest people in the world get tired and experience blah days—and that’s okay. Our bodies are not machines. The good news is even when you struggle to get a single push-up, you can still make it worthwhile with these tips.