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How I Work Out When I Don’t Want To (a thread):
1. Stupid Playlists.
I keep at least two playlists of guilty pleasures/songs I can’t help but sing along to/bops that make me want to dance. Then I just get on an elliptical or run the track and just dance a bit as I move. It makes it more fun. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1SjnLGRYXUTiceFTM6UF8C?si=TLguSN48Qa6r5diVpPvb-g
I keep at least two playlists of guilty pleasures/songs I can’t help but sing along to/bops that make me want to dance. Then I just get on an elliptical or run the track and just dance a bit as I move. It makes it more fun. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1SjnLGRYXUTiceFTM6UF8C?si=TLguSN48Qa6r5diVpPvb-g
2. Tasty Drinks
Though it’s not as hydrating as pure water, I’ll treat myself to a diet sweet tea when I go work out because they make me happy. It’s a little thing I can do at any point in the work out, it’s low calorie, and it’s mostly water. Find your version of that!
Though it’s not as hydrating as pure water, I’ll treat myself to a diet sweet tea when I go work out because they make me happy. It’s a little thing I can do at any point in the work out, it’s low calorie, and it’s mostly water. Find your version of that!
3. Play Around
In a real sense, gyms are playgrounds for adults. In yoga, we’ll often talk about “incorporating play.” Maybe you lift on the beat of a song or jump on a trampoline between sets or just play a sport as your exercise. Either way, try to frame it as fun.
In a real sense, gyms are playgrounds for adults. In yoga, we’ll often talk about “incorporating play.” Maybe you lift on the beat of a song or jump on a trampoline between sets or just play a sport as your exercise. Either way, try to frame it as fun.
4. Watch TV!
Treat the gym as your chance to watch your favorite TV show or YouTuber. Especially on a bike or elliptical, the time can fly by and you’d be surprised how good a workout you can get in just watching cartoons and riding a bike with high resistance.
Treat the gym as your chance to watch your favorite TV show or YouTuber. Especially on a bike or elliptical, the time can fly by and you’d be surprised how good a workout you can get in just watching cartoons and riding a bike with high resistance.
5. Warm Up!
Sometimes it can feel difficult to get started, so have something really easy first. It makes the task less daunting and, usually, after you do one thing, you’re primed to do more. Chloe Ting has a good basic warmup video here:
Sometimes it can feel difficult to get started, so have something really easy first. It makes the task less daunting and, usually, after you do one thing, you’re primed to do more. Chloe Ting has a good basic warmup video here:
6. Set Your Expectations Low!
Purposefully tell yourself that your goal is just to work out. On days you dont want to go to the gym, it’s a success even showing up. Compare yourself only to the you who would have sat home. If that means going, walking a bit, & leaving, good!
Purposefully tell yourself that your goal is just to work out. On days you dont want to go to the gym, it’s a success even showing up. Compare yourself only to the you who would have sat home. If that means going, walking a bit, & leaving, good!
7. Bargain With Yourself
A trainer I used to work with had a rule: you can ALWAYS back out of a workout, so long as you do so at the gym. If you get there, look around, and hate it, you’re free to leave. But you aren’t allowed to say “I’m not going at all.” It helps a lot.
A trainer I used to work with had a rule: you can ALWAYS back out of a workout, so long as you do so at the gym. If you get there, look around, and hate it, you’re free to leave. But you aren’t allowed to say “I’m not going at all.” It helps a lot.
8. Find Exercises that Make You Feel Good About Yourself
Have an idea in your head of something you can do that makes you feel strong, powerful, or capable. After you warm up, start there. On tough days, sometimes I just make those my whole routine & only add more in the moment
Have an idea in your head of something you can do that makes you feel strong, powerful, or capable. After you warm up, start there. On tough days, sometimes I just make those my whole routine & only add more in the moment
9. RELATED— Work Out In Clothes that Fit
If you have the means, try to get ahold of some workout clothes that fit and, if you have to go with clothes that don’t, go too big over too small. Working out in small clothes restricts movement, causes chafing, and makes for insecurity
If you have the means, try to get ahold of some workout clothes that fit and, if you have to go with clothes that don’t, go too big over too small. Working out in small clothes restricts movement, causes chafing, and makes for insecurity
10. Listen to Your Body
This works generally, but mostly I just want to make sure none of you are pressuring yourselves. Take at least one or two rest days a week. Vary your routine. You know when your body needs rest more than it needs exercise. Don’t hurt yourself.
This works generally, but mostly I just want to make sure none of you are pressuring yourselves. Take at least one or two rest days a week. Vary your routine. You know when your body needs rest more than it needs exercise. Don’t hurt yourself.
