GirlsGuideTo | Your Fitness Motivation Rx

Seriously dreading the gym today? I don’t know why, but sometimes I have really great weeks where I’m actually excited to jog it out or get my workout in, then I’ll have weeks where I can barely motivate myself to get off the couch. Whether you’ve hit a plateau, are just starting a new fitness routine, or simply need a burst of motivation, check out these 6 tips. They're just what the doctor ordered!

Start Small
If the thought of an hour-long spinning class sounds worse than death, then just try to make one small step towards working out. Make yourself get in that workout gear and commit to just 10 minutes of exercise, whether it’s jogging or Pilates. More than likely, you’ll be motivated to keep going after those first 10 minutes, but even if you don’t, it’s better than doing nothing.

Write it Down
Make your commitment feel more permanent by writing your goals down or penciling in workouts. Keep a log of your workouts or fitness goals somewhere you can see it every day. It will serve as a reminder of how far you’ve come and motivate you to keep going, especially when you can check something off the list.

Realize There’s an Ebb and Flow
Don’t get too discouraged by your bad days. Sometimes you’ll feel like kicking butt, and other days you’re just not in the mood. Understand there is an ebb and flow in your workout routine, just like in your daily life. Push yourself through these off days with the reminder that a good day, with loads of motivation is just around the corner.

Ask For Help
Enroll a workout buddy to hit the gym with you. Or, if you can afford it, splurge on personal training sessions. When you have someone else to hold you accountable, you’re much less likely to skip a workout. Plus, it’s a little bit more fun to have someone to chat with in between reps or to race on the elliptical.

Be Realistic
Don’t get down on yourself if you don’t see changes in your appearance overnight. It takes at least a month to notice any obvious changes yourself, and probably twice that long before others will start to see it. Ideally, it’s only healthy to lose up to 2 lbs a week, so don’t sweat it if you’re not dropping a jean size every week. Check up on your small improvements, like how many more push-ups you can do compared to when you started a month ago.

Pep Talk
Sometimes you’ve just got to talk yourself up. Positive thinking really makes a huge difference when working out. Instead of thinking, “I won’t make another mile,” flip that inner conversation to “I’m a runner, damnit!” Try picking out one characteristic you’ve noticed improving since you started working out, such as your biceps, to remind yourself that improvement is definitely possible.

How do you motivate yourself when you really feel like doing nothing? Let us know in the comments!