Do you have the workout blues? Is it hard to motivate yourself to exercise? Have you been grabbing at pizza and chocolate and you don’t know why. It may be that your body needs a break and is tired. Don’t beat yourself up about it. Take the break, and try to change up your exercise routine and your diet. Your lack of motivation may just be because you are stuck in a rut.
Try a new machine at the gym you haven’t tried before, or maybe go for a run outside instead of the usual treadmill, pop in an exercise dvd, or go to a class, do what you have to in order to mix things up. Sometimes to get out of a rut it could help to call a friend to go for a walk/run together, or just take your dog out for a long walk and by running your pup around you will also get in a good run yourself. Even changing the music you exercise to can help, nothing like a fresh new playlist of pumping tunes to sustain you through a creative, new workout.
Is exercise a chore?
As far as diet, try some new recipes with healthy ingredients. Tired of your old salad, mix it up by taking a cooking class, or invite some friends over and venture out of your comfort zone by cooking some healthy new meals with some exotic, but healthy ingredients.
Most of your lack of motivation comes from a lack of variety. Other reasons you may be falling off your fitness track could be lack of time, a stressful job that leaves you drained at the end of the day, and lack of quality sleep.
We’ve all been there. What is important is that you acknowledge these are affecting your plan to stay healthy and make a plan to deal with them before they go too far and sabotage your fitness.
Start by addressing your sleep first because the rest of your day depends on it. Then carve out some time in your busy schedule for just 20 minutes of exercise when you are pressed for time, even that will go a long way. Cook meals that can stay fresh in the fridge for a few days so you don’t need to cook every day.
Staying on top of your fitness goals takes time and effort but that effort will help carry you through the tough times and you will perform better at your job, be less stressed and have more energy. Now start moving and get cooking!
