Move Monday: Motivation

Do you ever have those days (weeks, months, years?) where you just lack motivation? Yeah, I’m kinda in that funk right now.

While I really am loving the Best Body Bootcamp workouts, if I DIDN’T have them right now I would be stuck in a rut for sure. During my previous pregnancies, I stuck with cardio until the bitter end (plus some). It kept me sweating, but as the weeks dwindled down to my due date, my motivation did too. I went from going to the gym 4-5 days a week, to 3, to 2. I still worked out, but  it’s a slippery slope. When you are feeling huge, uncomfortable, and like there is no end in sight – it’s hard to get motivated. Hell, it’s hard enough to roll out of bed.

Looking back, I was working out MOSTLY on the elliptical (with a few spin class thrown in a few times a week) – so I guess that’s understandable. Does anyone actually LOVE the elliptical? As I’ve vowed to keep up with strength training this time, as well as walking and cycle (I am seriously trying to stay away from the elliptical as much as possible!) here are 6 tips that I am telling myself to get my workouts in throughout the week. While I may only have the energy to do 2-3 workouts a week in the next few months, I want to do everything possible to make those workouts COUNT.

1. I tell myself I can break up my workout.

The awesome thing about exercise is that you DON’T need to do a ridiculously long workout to stay healthy. Don’t have 45-60 minute to fit in cardio/strength training? No problem. I’m sure you can find 20 minutes to fit into your schedule a few times a day. It’s even easier if you invest in a few free weights (I have 8, 10, 12, and 15 pound dumbells). As for cardio – you can always go for a walk break during lunch or do a quick cardio workout consisting of jumping jacks, burpees, and jumping rope (even if it’s a fake rope).

There’s no RULE that you need to do everything at once. The important part is that you MAKE THE EFFORT.

2. I tell myself I will feel better when I’m done.

As someone who is NOT a morning person but does her workouts in the morning – this is a big one. I hate, hate, hate waking up and getting out of bed. But, as much as I hate getting out of bed I hate that feeling that I missed my window of opportunity to fit in a great workout. I absolutely LOVE how I feel after a workout (90% of the time) and HATE how I feel when it’s 4:30 in the afternoon and I realize I still need to workout. Blerg. So most of the time when I try to talk myself out of working out, I replay the scene in my head that involves me at the gym at 5:30-6pm when I could be spending time with my family.

3. I remind myself that Working Out = Less cranky + More sane

I can totally see how working out can become an addiction because I am not very nice if I skip too many workouts. I know it sounds crazy, especially if you aren’t someone who works out regularly – but give it 6 weeks and I promise you — you will understand what I am talking about. You can do something for 6 weeks, right?

4. I tell myself I’m missing out on something/letting someone down.

This may sound like crazy person logic, but try it. I used to meet my friend Heather at the gym (until she moved away *sniff*) and I always felt horrible if I overslept or skipped a workout with her. Since I don’t have a regular workout buddy at the moment (any takers??!!), I do see regulars at the gym and if I don’t go I feel like I miss on seeing them and catching up with them. OK, this still sounds crazy, but I swear it works!

5. I tell myself I can splurge – a little.

I am really an “everything in moderation” kinda girl (as I sit here eating a bag of SweetTarts), but let’s face it – in order to maintain a healthy weight calories in need to equal calories out!  And while I try not to associate working out with food (I feel like that’s a rabbit hole that turns into nothing good), I am definitely more lenient and relaxed about treating myself if I work out frequently.

6. I remind myself why I really want to stay healthy.

My life is not just my own. I want to set a good example for my kids and I want to be around long enough and be healthy enough to my life after my kids are raised.  So if not now, then when?

What are your reasons for working out? How do you find YOUR motivation?