Your workout motivation. Having been a trainer, I’ve heard probably every excuse in the book about why people couldn’t exercise. In over 15 years, I don’t think I met a single person who had a truly valid reason not to exercise, but boy did the excuses abound. Oh, and there were some great ones. The people who impressed me the most were those who continued to push themselves, even while overcoming adversity.

It used to be that regular life contained enough movement for most of us, but with computers and cars, our lives have become sedentary and it has now become a necessity to schedule in actual movement.

YOUR WORKOUT MOTIVATION

I just don’t have the time. Really? You really don’t have the time? Sure, there are days when you might be super busy but for the most part, everyone can find some time to workout on at least a couple of days each week. Okay, so you might not be able to get to a gym for an hour sweat session, but how about doing some push ups during a 5 minute commercial break? Don’t fall into the absolutist trap of thinking that if you can’t fit in a big workout, then you can’t workout at all. It’s about creating a new mindset and a habit.

I feel like I’m always forcing myself to workout. If you are forcing yourself then yes of course, you will never continue. It’s extremely hard to continuously do something that you hate. Look at it this way, don’t try to change yourself and instead change what you are doing. There are many great alternatives to traditional workouts.

I can’t motivate myself. This I just don’t buy because it’s not about motivating yourself. I believe it’s that you have too many excuses that are getting in the way. Write them down and decide, is this a reason why you can’t workout or just an excuse?

I just want to lose weight. Many of us fit into this spot at one time or another. I’ve spent many a time sitting comfortably on my couch, trying desperately to figure out how I can tone my abs and lose a few pounds, without actually moving. Only my brain was getting a workout. To throw a wrench into these thoughts, here are some benefits to moving: better mood, better sleep, improved heart health, less health issues, better sex life and of course, weight loss (as a bonus, with regular exercise you have a much better chance of keeping it off).

I’ll start just as soon as (fill in the blank). No, no, no, no and no! If you put it off, it will never happen. No one is saying that you need to run to the gym and buy a year long membership. Start small and do crunches while the commercials are on. Brushing your teeth equals squat time and 50 jumping jacks are your morning wake-up.

Working out is boring. No it’s not, but your class or that hour on the treadmill might be. So first, shorten the amount of time you are working out and then try something that’s completely out of your comfort zone, something out of the box. Working out isn’t only about your muscles, but it’s also about keeping your brain occupied. That’s why I’m such a huge fan of ballet and Pilates, they really force me to think not just do.

I feel like everyone is staring at me. I have spent the past 20 or so years of my life working in or owning fitness facilities and I can honestly tell you that no one is looking. Okay sure, sometimes I had an audience when I was taking a Pilates class, but that was only because I was hanging upside down and totally showing off.

Okay, okay full disclosure here, I’m pretty decent at telling myself that something else is more important, but slowly I’m learning to put my health first. So the next time the weather is awful and you’re tired and you have stuff to do and frankly, you just don’t feel like it, come back to this list and see if it doesn’t change your mind!

How do you motivate yourself to keep working out even when you don’t feel like it?

If you are planning, thinking, dreaming (and making excuses) to start running, I’ve put together an 8 week program that will get you off the couch! Download it now:

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*images courtesy of Dollar Photo Club