How to Stay Motivated to Workout
A few weeks ago I had made the decision that it was time to reincorporate some running into my workout routine. I usually just stick with things like jumping rope or high rep calisthenics for my cardio workouts, but the weather was nice that day and I couldn’t resist. It may be different for you, but for me running is rarely a desirable thing to do. There are however exceptions. Some days a run is just what I need to clear my head or force that extra load of oxygen into my lungs. Whenever I do run, I prefer to do it outside to get the most fresh air possible.
So, I went on a run that day and it felt great. The sun was shining and my lungs began to clear out as my feet hit that pavement. You may be wondering where I am going with this. After all the title of this article is, “How to Stay Motivated to Work Out.” You might be thinking to yourself, “He should be talking about a bad running day. One with clouds and raining. One with an angry dog chasing him down.” Unfortunately the bad stuff does come into play, but fortunately it wasn’t a dog. The next day after my run, I was helping my neighbor move his freezer when it fell on my big toe. I didn’t get a good grip on the freezer and instead of taking the time to get a better grip I foolishly pressed on and it slid right from my fingers onto my toe.
Watching me walk back into the house probably looked something like a sitcom character, because I didn’t want my neighbor to know that I had just smashed my toe with his freezer. So there I was having just made a commitment to my self that I would run only 2 days a week, and my toe was in no condition to go running with for at least two weeks. Things like this just happen. They have probably happened to you before as well. You make a new diet commitment not to eat white bread in the morning and your friend shows up with pizza and soda that night. Or you set aside a specific time for working out let’s say, right after work and then your car doesn’t start. You spend an hour figuring out how to get it fixed and how to get home.
It can be discouraging and disheartening at these times, but don’t let it get you down. Learn to adapt. There have been many times where I didn’t get to do my workout, or diet exactly as I’ve planned but sometimes I have figured out alternatives. You might not have 30 minutes to workout anymore, but perhaps you can fit in 15 or even 10 minutes. Something is better than nothing. Whenever you need motivation, look to your goals. What are you aiming for. As you achieve your fitness goals your confidence will go up. Also, don’t discount the power of music as a great source of motivation. One song that comes to mind is the new release, “Keep Your Head Up” by Andy Grammer. This is a fun song that is really inspiring. For me, it’s not exactly an intense workout song, but it gives me motivation when I’m not working out. Find those things that help you, and give you motivation, and use them whenever you need them.
