Mind over Matter: How To Overcome Workout Laziness
Everyone wants to be fit but no one wants to exercise! When you decided to get fit, you were full of enthusiasm but when the time came to follow through, there were suddenly a whole lot of reasons why you couldn’t. The truth is that it’s not always easy to overcome laziness and stick to your workouts.
8 Ways to overcome workout laziness
- Prepare the previous night
When you’re feeling lazy in the morning, even a simple task like finding the right workout clothes can seem like a chore. Pick out your workout clothes the night before so that you can’t use this excuse to skip your gym session. Keep your entire outfit including your socks and shoes beside your bed so that you can slip into them and head out before your laziness sets in!
- Watch videos of artists that inspire you
Whether you’re a J-Lo fan or a diehard devotee of Nicki Minaj, watching their videos as soon as you wake up will help you shrug off your lethargy. You can have their videos playing in the background while you prepare your breakfast and get ready to head out. This is a great way to get psyched and remind yourself that exercise is not something to whine about but rather an opportunity to enjoy a great workout.
- Track your progress in pics
Whoever said that a picture is worth a thousand words was a genius! One of the best ways to overcome your innate laziness is to use photographs to remind yourself of the results of exercise. Put up before and after pics of yourself on your fridge and mirror as a constant reminder to stay on track with your workouts.
- Constantly upgrade your playlist
A recent study found that listening to upbeat music during workouts reduces the perception of effort and increase endurance by 15%. Keep your playlist fresh so that you don’t get bored of the same old routine every single day. Listening to music during your morning run will also help to improve your mood and motivate you to push yourself further. The ideal tempo for moderate-intensity exercise is 120-140 beats per minute.
- Beat boredom with boot camps
Boot camps are an excellent way to beat the boredom of tedious fitness routines. Fitness boot camps are more challenging and varied and generally include a mix of aerobic and strength training during each session. Boot camps are a unique experience as they inspire a sense of camaraderie within the fitness group and encourage everyone to push themselves to their limits. Many fitness boot camp programs are under an hour and can be modified according to your fitness level.
- Try something out of your comfort zone
Jogging, running and gym sessions are great ways to get fit but after a while, they can become monotonous. Every once in a while, try out a new fitness routine that’s outside your comfort zone. For instance, you can try aerial fitness which will not only teach you a new art but also help you improve your strength, flexibility and coordination. If you like dancing, you can consider a Zumba or Bokwa class or even a pole fitness class! This can help you overcome exercise ennui as well as build new muscles. It’s also a great way to renew your enthusiasm in fitness and meet like-minded people.
- Shop for new workout clothes
Shopping may seem like a superficial way to get motivated but once you see yourself in those baby blue kicks or that sexy yet sporty workout tank, you will be excited to rock your new outfit! Looking good helps you feel good and provides that extra incentive to stick to your fitness routine. Don’t shop for a whole new workout wardrobe at one go but instead buy a couple of new pieces every month as this will help to sustain your motivation.
- Force yourself to work out for at least 10 minutes
There will be days when you wake up with zero motivation for exercise and workouts. When this happens, tell yourself that you don’t need to go for a 30-min run but instead you can settle for a 10-min walk. Once you’re actually out the door, you will be more inclined to stick to your regular routine. Even if you can’t stick to your scheduled workout, you will still not lose your motivation because you have managed to do something – which is a whole lot better than nothing!
When you start working out, you will experience some amount of muscle aches and stiffness. However, if you are in serious discomfort or experience sciatica symptoms, stop your workouts and contact your doctor instead to make sure that you have not injured yourself.
Author’s Bio: Anita Fernandes has been writing extensively on health and wellness for over a decade. She has expertise in nutrition, fitness, public health, and weight loss and has contributed content to a variety of leading digital health publishers. Anita has a unique perspective on healthy living and lifestyle, as she has battled and overcome eating disorders and obesity. She shares her experiences in an effort to help others overcome the physical and mental health problems that can sometimes seem insurmountable.
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