How do you get motivated to work out when you're REALLY tired?

megbee617

Hi everyone -

I'm sure we've all been there: you slept 3 hours the night prior, worked a 10 hour day, you're STARVING because you're trying to stay under your calorie goal, but... you have to drag your butt to the gym.

What do you do to stay motivated and work out when all you want to do is go to bed??

Alwayssohungry

Every time you work out - right down how good you feel after the workout - gets me up for those 5am runs every time I also work out in the AM so I have no excuses at the end of a long day AND it starts my day "in the hole" calorie-wise, purely psychological I know, but it works for me....

Unknown

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fobs13

Think of the end result but if I have had a particularly bad day might skip it especially if this was not my usual routine. Think you need a decent amount of sleep to function well buy that might just be me!

JoRocka

this should pretty much answer your question on how to make it happen.

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10017066/my-last-word-on-motivation/p1

mikkielias

drink a pre workout

ElliottTN

caffeine......and porn

JoRocka

ElliottTN wrote: »

caffeine......and porn

actually-yeah- both of those things are great. LMAO

Valtishia

If I have a horrible night, then I would probably just go to bed. I have had those nights when my toddler isn't feeling well and is up most of the night and I maybe get an hours sleep. If I can barely function for the rest of my day, I am probably not jumping on the workout train that particular day. If I am just tired cause I didn't sleep as well asI normally would, then I can usually just get up and put the workout gear on. Once its on, its pointless to take it off without doing it.

gamesandgains

pre or caffeine.

cwolfman13

For one thing, I don't try to stay under my calorie goal...I try to hit my calorie goal...it is a goal after all. For another, if you're starving then your goal is likely too aggressive or you're not eating the right things. Thirdly, if I really need to take a rest day then I do. I've had all nighters with my kiddos before and had to miss a workout because it would have been futile...in the grand scheme of things it's not a big deal...only if you're missing all the time is it a big deal...and if you're missing that much sleep then there are probably other issues that need addressed as well.

Usually, even when I'm dog tired I will make my workout...I generally feel 100% better for it too.

Lofteren

I watch stuff like this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3L3mQFk9zZ8

Then I snort some ammonia before my top set

AniLandSmiles

If I only got 3 hours of sleep, I would allow myself to skip it (if it only happened once in a while). Otherwise, I just constantly remind myself why I'm doing it. My kids, my husband, and that skinny girl who thinks my husband it cute is about all I need.

Silverdracos

That's why I get up at 6 for my workout. I'm also doing a program that makes me sweat and gives me sore muscles but doesn't leave me wanting to take a nap afterward. With my MS I have to be very careful with my energy use. I'd rather get it done first and leave the laundry sitting on the couch another day because I'm out of gas.

Dave198lbs

get naked and stand in front of the mirror ...Like what you see? go back to bed....Not happy with what you see? work out

yopeeps025

Sometimes I youtube women workout videos.

stealthq

Yeah - if I get only 3hrs of sleep and I'm really tired - like falling asleep at the steering wheel tired? I might run if it's not a long run, but I'd never weight lift like that. I'd probably drop a weight on my foot or tip over backwards doing a squat, or something equally as stupid and potentially painful. I wouldn't be able to put together a worthwhile session if I'm that wiped anyway.

JenAndSome

Depends on the situation. Why did you only get three hours of sleep? Part of changing my lifestyle included making sure I get enough rest to let my body recover. If it was just that you slept like crap, stop making excuses, get up and go work out. Also, make sure that you have an accurate calorie goal and that you aren't too far under it. If you are starving you are not eating enough.

emdeesea

It really depends on the day but usually I make this deal with myself. I make the commitment to at LEAST do 10 minutes. If after 10 minutes, I'm just not feeling it, I give myself permission to stop. (But I have never stopped after those 10 minutes) The hardest part is just getting there, really.

sofaking6

I work out in the morning - if I get up for work, then I also work out. If I'm tired or sick enough to skip work, then I'll also skip my workout. I'm a wreck when I'm tired, I need my sleep!!!

ChampCrucial

emdeesea wrote: »

It really depends on the day but usually I make this deal with myself. I make the commitment to at LEAST do 10 minutes. If after 10 minutes, I'm just not feeling it, I give myself permission to stop. (But I have never stopped after those 10 minutes) The hardest part is just getting there, really.

This right here. If you can do the warm up and still not with it then go to bed knowing that you did at least something. Know that those workouts often end up being the best workouts you ever have in your life. Just make sure you don't have to wake up super early for something.

AniLandSmiles

Dave198lbs wrote: »

get naked and stand in front of the mirror ...Like what you see? go back to bed....Not happy with what you see? work out

This.

erockem

Drink some pre-workout. You'll be motivated for it and blast through your workout in no time.

PwrLftr82

I lift first thing in the morning. If I wait until after work, there are too many things that could happen to prevent me from going!

MattNorrisUL

megbee617 wrote: »

Hi everyone -

I'm sure we've all been there: you slept 3 hours the night prior, worked a 10 hour day, you're STARVING because you're trying to stay under your calorie goal, but... you have to drag your butt to the gym.

What do you do to stay motivated and work out when all you want to do is go to bed??

You just have to do it. You sorta described my Tuesday. I woke up at 3:30 am and couldn't sleep. At about 4:30 am I was resigned to the fact I wasn't sleeping. I normally get up at 5. So I told myself to take advantage of this and I got up and did T25. I then went to work from 7am to 5pm. Took 3 daughters back and forth to dance, did some paperwork, then at 10pm I decided I needed to do another day of T25 (I had missed a day over the weekend). I was tired but you just have to decide what is more important. I finished the Total Body Circuit and then wake to the bed and fell asleep with in a few minutes.

You just have to decide that excercise is your priority.

civilizedworm

I'm 43. I took 5 years off. I'll be 44 next year. If I miss a day, a workout, I nearly hose my training schedule and my goals. I'm tired now. I only sleep three a night, but once I hit the rack the energy to lift and to kill my workout soars.

It's the sense of urgency that keeps me motivated.

tulips_and_tea

Yep, like everyone else already said: I just go and don't over think it. I do what I can, even if it's just a walk on the treadmill. Getting my body moving and heart pumping almost always feels better than the way I feel after I skip a workout and then go home and take a nap. Ugh.

Granted, there are days (few and far between) when we all need to put sleep first, but as a general rule, getting moving is much more beneficial.

NoelFigart1

I don't worry about being motivated. I don't worry about whether or not the workout is going to be a great one. It doesn't have to be brilliant. I don't have to like it or be excited about it. It just has to be done, so how I feel doesn't matter.

So I go in the morning before I have a chance to think about it.

(Now, in reality, I LIKE swimming, so once I am in the pool and going, usually I am feeling more positive. But I don't have to. I just have to do it)

dbmata

megbee617 wrote: »

What do you do to stay motivated and work out when all you want to do is go to bed??

You *just* do it.

Sleep when you're done. For me, it's that which I must do in order to do other things I want to do. I also do it because I like being able to pick my wife up and carry her around as if she were nothing more than a backpack screaming, "Let me down!"

missdibs1

I tell myself. Now don't start that again! Because I know skipping one workout can easily lead tk skipping two or three. I just try and usually wind up enjoying it. And if it's half a$$ed or I have terrible form. I make it a short one.

amgreenwell

I agree with other posters...just get it under your belt and move on. You can sleep well that night knowing you did the work out. You deserve to look and feel your best, that is the only motivation I can give you.