When Motivation Is Seriously Lacking, What Do you do?

Sleeping on Couch

Life, is not always “Fabulous, darling!” Would be wonderful if that was possible, but let’s get real, right?

You are not always going to be able to say, “Bring it on world, I’ll show you whose the boss!” Some days you are going to struggle with a real lack of motivation. So much so that it would really be easier to just sit in the recliner sipping your cabernet and watch the television.

Let me tell you today, I know that you can push through it. I know you can, because I have. Here are my 3 tips for getting going when you just aren’t feeling it at all.

1. “Let’s make a deal.”

Tell yourself something like, “I’ll just jump rope and see how I feel.”

Getting started if often the hardest part. Once you get moving, you feel great. How do I know this works? I was the one who had to make the deal with myself last week! By making a deal with yourself, you create a chance to get over that mental barrier. And you may rekindle that fire.

Here are a couple more ‘deal breakers’:

  • I’ll get through the warm-up. If I’m still not into it, I’ll go home.
  • Let me just pack up my bag and get in the car. (Seriously. It sounds simple, but it works).
  • I’ll just go and stretch for 15 minutes, then re-evaluate.

Little wins like that can build momentum and get your mind back into hitting your workout.

2.  Change up the workout

You look at your workout program and you seriously want to throw it in the bin. Put it away. Do something different. Instead of squats do your favourite – lunges. Get on the Jacob’s ladder for two minutes, attend a class instead of working out on your own.

Recently, one of my clients who prefer weight lifting told me that she was craving cardio workouts. So we did it. Your body will let you know what it wants.

Remember, training has to be fun. If you have to suffer through workouts to get in shape, what’s the point? Your workouts should fill you with energy, not suck it out of you.

3.  Take the day off

That’s right. I said it. Never thought I would say that, did you?

If you try tip 1 and 2 and still don’t have it in you to train, maybe it’s just not the day.

Go for a long walk instead. Or just chill and listen to music. Tomorrow is another day, and one off day never ruined someone’s fitness.

Just remember that if this is happening all the time, you may need a different, more manageable approach.

But every 1-2 months, just taking an extra day can keep you more consistent over the long haul.

Keep these tips in mind the next time your motivation suffers.

One other tip I forgot to mention is having a support system.

It’s almost impossible to NOT be fired up to work out when you’re surrounded by like-minded people on the same page as you.

You can find that type of community online. My Facebook page Thrive Fitness is where I share my weekly blog posts and motivational posts.  You are welcome to join me there (www.facebook.com/stevesharkeythrivefitness)

You can join many of my clients who are part of my online training program and allow me to work out your program for you, and you will be able to make notes as you exercise and send them off to me via email. I will then reply if necessary and we can work through the challenges you experienced.  With the software that I am using, and the app you can download on your smart device, you can enter your workouts as they happen and let me know how you felt during the session.

Click the link below to check it out.
www.thrivefitnessonline.trainerize.com

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