Ah January, I've missed you. The road to warmer months is here... If you watched my 20 goals for 2020 video, you'll probably know that I actually don't mind January, it gets a bad rep as the worst month, but for me it's a nice quiet month and one where I can re-energise, get myself organised and honestly, it always makes me feel inspired. It's a chance to start fresh and start new habits. I'm one big cliche but 'New Year New Me', sits well with me. It's your excuse to start fresh so why not take it? On Instagram I'm often asked how I get motivated to work out, so as I sit here 3x carrot cake muffins down (no-one is perfect), I thought it was time to give you 8 ways to be motivated with your workouts this year. If you find this helpful, please do share it!
1. The Hardest Part Is Getting There - Going to workout is a mental thing. I always say the hardest part is getting there, so hold yourself accountable, there are a few ways you can do this, either buy a gym membership/classes (I've written a blog post about the best workout classes in Leeds and London) and because you've spent money you feel as if you need to get your moneys worth by using your membership, every time you go, the 'cost per use' of your membership goes down. Winning. Or, it could be that you've booked a workout class and you get a strike against your name or lose your money if you don't turn up, by pre-booking onto a class, you feel more obliged to turn up. Another way to hold yourself accountable is to get a year view diary (I recommend this one here and this one here and also really rate ThreeSixFive too) and tick it every time you workout. It means you wont over train or under train. If you set your intentions the night before, by laying out your gym kit and booking onto a class or mapping out the route you may take when going on your morning run, you're way more likely to go. You never regret a workout, only not doing one!
2. Good, Durable, Fresh Gym Kit - Once you're booked onto your class/gym session/organised your swim or running route, I always recommend getting your gym kit out for the next morning, again, making that intention clear. It's all about being organised, so packing your backpack for the next day if you're wanting to workout before work or after work. I know it's cliche but I really do find new gym kit inspires me so much, I want to get my moneys worth haha and there's nothing like a good pair of trainers or leggings to inspire me to put them on and actually use them. It's definitely a placebo but I feel as if I work out better and harder in new kit. I personally love Sweaty Betty (currently in sale too) + Gym Shark for gym kit right now. I also wear Adidas Ultra Boost trainers for running as I find they're the most cushioned (I've had them for over 4 years and ready to swap mine for some white ones made from ocean plastic to be honest haha!) and at the moment (my absolutely battered as I've worn them into the ground) Puma trainers which are in the sale and incredibly affordable as great for HIIT workouts, using inside the gym and spinning. Once you invest in good gym kit, just like a gym membership, you feel obliged to use it!
Watch my video here talking about my favourite gym kit
4. A Good Workout - It's important that you find a workout that you actually like, one that challenges you each time but also motivates you too and makes you want to return. There's nothing better than those addictive endorphins you get from completing a good class, with good music. It may be tough during the class but just know you're going to feel better after and if it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you! I personally find classes fly by way quicker than me motivating myself too which is always a bonus. So whether you're more of a low intensity person and want to try barre, a runner, a HIIT girl (I SWEAR by David Lloyd Blaze classes - gifted), a spin girl (I've been spinning since high school and a good spin class is addictive), boxing (Kobox is the ultimate), Zumba or a Les Mills Virtual Spin - there really is something for everyone! You don't have to do a boxing class and you don't have to do a Zumba class. Try something new and see what you like. My Mum was always really scared of the gym but then she found Zumba at David Lloyd and she loves it, she just dances to her favourite songs and leaves feeling fit and energised. If you like your workout, you will feel more motivated to continue. I know classes are not free and they cost, but personally I like to invest in good classes/gym and I've just always paid for a gym membership ever since I was 15 (I acknowledge this is a privilege but it's something I've always been very strict with myself about). I just like to be pushed and I wouldn't push myself that hard, I really do find it harder to self-motivate but obviously like I say, working out does not have to cost, you can put the free Nike run app on your phone and be inspired by a Spotify playlist and run around your block or you can be motivated in the comfort of your own home with YouTube workouts. It's all about making it work for you! Read about the best workout classes in Leeds and London.
8. Health Benefits - Surely thinking of the health benefits alone is enough to make you want to workout? Some days, yes but other days, I'd rather sit and eat pizza and you know what, that's okay. None of us are superhuman and rest days are just as important as working out days too BUT, if you really ask yourself why you're wanting to work out and what your goals are, it should really help! Write down your fitness goals for the year, grab yourself one of these diaries here and this one here and make yourself accountable, manifest it! For me, I workout to maintain but also, for my mind. I absolutely love the benefits I get from even going for a walk, let alone a 45 minute sweaty workout. The endorphins it releases are great for me and it's an added bonus knowing it's keeping my heart and body healthy too. You have to mentally set yourself up and tell yourself all of these things but I acknowledge how hard it is, getting up and out on a cold, winter night so don't beat yourself up too much if you're not fully revved up all the time. One thing I have to point out though, don't drag yourself out of bed on zero sleep for a workout, it's better to have quality workouts after enough rest than to make yourself ill. Your body needs sleep first and foremost. Once you've got the good sleeping pattern under control and the good workout routine, you'll feel weird not working out because it will become a part of your routine.
So there we have it, 8 ways to motivate yourself to workout this year, I hope this may help you if you are maybe struggling to get the motivation to go to the gym or workout. I hope you enjoy this post!
You might also like:
Healthy eating and exercise addiction
My updated gym routine
How to make the best porridge
Easy healthy carrot cake cookie recipe
Motivate yourself to do University work
My home workouts
Healthy fig and oat cookies recipe
Easy, healthy strawberry ice cream recipe
Easy, healthy ginger and oat biscuits
Lots of love, Em x
This website uses Ad affiliate links, this doesn't cost you anything extra but means I may sometimes make a small % per sale.
Don't forget to follow me on bloglovin! to stay up to date with my posts!
I would also love it if you could subscribe to me on YouTube here!
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Watch my video here talking about my favourite gym kit
3. Convenience - When it comes to working out, making your workout convenient to you is key. You might love a workout thats an hour away, but realistically, is it not better to do that on a weekend and find something closer to you mid-week? Getting the mental strength to workout anyway is tough, so don't make it harder for yourself. You need to find a gym/class/exercise routine that seamlessly fits into your life and becomes a lifestyle choice rather than a strain/chore. I'm a bit stubborn with this and love my gym so much (David Lloyd, just the best gym ever, epic trainers, epic classes and SO friendly for my whole family - gifted) that I will commute as long as it takes to get there, but it's not really viable if you are working 8-7pm every day. I always say to people it's important to find a gym/classes/exercise either next to your office, on the way to your office, on the way back from your office or next to your house. It's the easiest way to get it done, without adding an hour commute on each way too. I personally find it MUCH harder to do workouts on an evening than on a morning, it's a personal preference but you'll figure out what works for you. When I was at Uni, I could roll out of bed and go to a spin class at the on campus gym, it was SO easy to remain motivated that way as it was right in front of me. Obviously the most convenient/time efficient workout is a home workout, which is why I always tell people that workouts don't have to cost the earth, (for me, I personally push much harder in a class hence that being my preference) but on days when you don't have time to leave the house to go to the gym, or maybe you just have other costs and can't stretch for a gym membership right now, you can sit in front of your TV and workout. I highly recommend The Body Coach on YouTube, I often do his home workouts, I will do a 15 minute one and then add another 15 minutes on top if I have the time. I do also have many home workouts on my youtube channel which you may like to try. Obviously you can also go for a run around your area too, which is free and very convenient.
4. A Good Workout - It's important that you find a workout that you actually like, one that challenges you each time but also motivates you too and makes you want to return. There's nothing better than those addictive endorphins you get from completing a good class, with good music. It may be tough during the class but just know you're going to feel better after and if it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you! I personally find classes fly by way quicker than me motivating myself too which is always a bonus. So whether you're more of a low intensity person and want to try barre, a runner, a HIIT girl (I SWEAR by David Lloyd Blaze classes - gifted), a spin girl (I've been spinning since high school and a good spin class is addictive), boxing (Kobox is the ultimate), Zumba or a Les Mills Virtual Spin - there really is something for everyone! You don't have to do a boxing class and you don't have to do a Zumba class. Try something new and see what you like. My Mum was always really scared of the gym but then she found Zumba at David Lloyd and she loves it, she just dances to her favourite songs and leaves feeling fit and energised. If you like your workout, you will feel more motivated to continue. I know classes are not free and they cost, but personally I like to invest in good classes/gym and I've just always paid for a gym membership ever since I was 15 (I acknowledge this is a privilege but it's something I've always been very strict with myself about). I just like to be pushed and I wouldn't push myself that hard, I really do find it harder to self-motivate but obviously like I say, working out does not have to cost, you can put the free Nike run app on your phone and be inspired by a Spotify playlist and run around your block or you can be motivated in the comfort of your own home with YouTube workouts. It's all about making it work for you! Read about the best workout classes in Leeds and London.
5. Little Things Add Up - Working out does not just have to be about doing a gruelling 45 minute HIIT class or a run, there are so many different things that count as exercise. I signed up for Red January this year, an initiative to get yourself moving every day in January whilst raising money for Mind too. It reminded me that even cleaning my house counts as movement, as does walking to the shop or walking the dog (I wish I had a dog). I'm a big believer in walking, if you're fortunate enough to have legs to use, use them. One of my Grandma's biggest life tips actually! If you're struggling to fit workouts in, walk wherever you can, not only is it better for the environment, but it's great for you too. On days I can't workout, I'll plan my meetings so I can get my 20,000 steps in walking to and from them. I get up an hour earlier and use my legs to get me to where I need to be. I personally use the Health app on my iPhone to track my steps. If you want to feel really inspired though my family swear by their Fitbits and my boyfriend loves his Apple Watch for tracking calorie burn and steps etc, he says it makes him push harder in a class as he can see how many calories he's burning. There are so many free ways to workout, or little additional things you can do that mean you're working out, without realising it, it could even be that you see your friend for a catch up and go for a walk around the local park rather than going to the pub. It could be taking the stairs on the tube rather than the escalators or getting off the bus one stop early. All of these little things add up, and they're free too!
6. A Good Soundtrack - The best thing to motivate me (besides from a really good instructor in a gym class) is a good soundtrack! I think one of the reasons I love David Lloyd Blaze classes and Kobox classes so much is because they have such good soundtracks, the music powers me through that final stage and it feels more like a club than a boring chore of a workout, it feels more fun! If I'm in the gym by myself or on a run, it's the music that helps to carry me through so I always make sure I have my headphones packed with me. I have a Spotify playlist and use that if working out by myself or running. A class environment has the added bonus of music PLUS community, so seeing everyone else working out around you definitely helps too. It's all about those good vibes.
7. A Workout Buddy - I do think having a workout buddy is a good motivator when it comes to working out, whether it's your best friend or partner, whether you just turn up to the gym together but do separate workouts, if that person helps you get there, then that is good. I'm very lucky I am surrounded by friends who adore Blaze classes and Kobox, so we often go for a class together and then have a catch up brunch or meeting after but I recognise this is a privilege - this is more of a London way of life because in Yorkshire, I don't have friends who want to do this with me haha! I find if I book a class with my friend, I can't bail on them so I have to go! It pushes me further. There are other ways you can find a workout buddy too though without them physically having to be there, it could be a friend you text and track each others workouts, you can set up your iphone/Fitbit/various technologies to tell someone when you've worked out, a sure fire way to keep you on track! A good way to cheer each other on from the sidelines. It could be virtual friends via a running app, many apps nowadays let you share your scores with others or do runs alongside virtual people. It could also be an influencer online who inspires you to work out more, save their videos and do them in the gym or at home! I workout by myself most of the time mid-week but on a weekend my boyfriend will come with me and wow I find it much easier when he's with me as it's less of a chore and more of a fun thing we do together! Yep, I said it, I find it fun when I'm with someone!
8. Health Benefits - Surely thinking of the health benefits alone is enough to make you want to workout? Some days, yes but other days, I'd rather sit and eat pizza and you know what, that's okay. None of us are superhuman and rest days are just as important as working out days too BUT, if you really ask yourself why you're wanting to work out and what your goals are, it should really help! Write down your fitness goals for the year, grab yourself one of these diaries here and this one here and make yourself accountable, manifest it! For me, I workout to maintain but also, for my mind. I absolutely love the benefits I get from even going for a walk, let alone a 45 minute sweaty workout. The endorphins it releases are great for me and it's an added bonus knowing it's keeping my heart and body healthy too. You have to mentally set yourself up and tell yourself all of these things but I acknowledge how hard it is, getting up and out on a cold, winter night so don't beat yourself up too much if you're not fully revved up all the time. One thing I have to point out though, don't drag yourself out of bed on zero sleep for a workout, it's better to have quality workouts after enough rest than to make yourself ill. Your body needs sleep first and foremost. Once you've got the good sleeping pattern under control and the good workout routine, you'll feel weird not working out because it will become a part of your routine.
So there we have it, 8 ways to motivate yourself to workout this year, I hope this may help you if you are maybe struggling to get the motivation to go to the gym or workout. I hope you enjoy this post!
You might also like:
Healthy eating and exercise addiction
My updated gym routine
How to make the best porridge
Easy healthy carrot cake cookie recipe
Motivate yourself to do University work
My home workouts
Healthy fig and oat cookies recipe
Easy, healthy strawberry ice cream recipe
Easy, healthy ginger and oat biscuits
Lots of love, Em x
This website uses Ad affiliate links, this doesn't cost you anything extra but means I may sometimes make a small % per sale.
Don't forget to follow me on bloglovin! to stay up to date with my posts!
I would also love it if you could subscribe to me on YouTube here!
Twitter | Facebook | Youtube | Bloglovin | Pinterest | My Shop | Instagram: emshelx
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