I'm in winter hibernation mode. How to stay motivated to workout during those cold winter nights?

Fit_Fox88

I get it. I've been to the gym twice in the past 2 weeks. HOWEVER, if I over think it I end up not going. If I try to find motivation, I don't go. If I say "I'll do it after I clean up a little around the house" I won't go. I just have to do it. Think of it like work or school- you don't necessarily always want to go or participate but you do because you know you have to or else the end results aren't going to be what you really want (no paycheck or failing classes). You have to put in the work to get the results you want.

As someone else said, pack your gym clothes and go to the gym directly after work or school. Don't go home first.

ems212

I agree with all the others...grab your gym stuff and go directly there after school. If you don't stop home, you can't crawl under the covers and hibernate. I've started bringing my workout bag with me to work as well...major motivation!

NikiChicken

I either go to the gym in the morning before work and/or I will go for a walk at lunch if the weather is good. It's easier for me to work out in the dark if it is in the morning rather than the evening. At night, like you, I just want to curl up in bed. however, if I drag myself out of bed early and get it done before work, I feel so much better and it's done for the day. We've had some really pretty days here recently as well and I've been taking advantage of that at lunch and going for walks. It gives me some fresh air and a break from work and it's daylight!

JoRocka

DawnieB1977 wrote: »

randomtai wrote: »

DawnieB1977 wrote: »

bennettinfinity wrote: »

DawnieB1977 wrote: »

bennettinfinity wrote: »

HealthyVitamins wrote: »

You don't want it enough otherwise you would 'just do it'

^^This... once fitness becomes a priority, you'll no longer need to find 'motivation' to exercise and weather will no longer be an excuse not to.

I disagree. She asked for help to find motivation, and I don't think saying 'just do it' is helpful.

I'm committed to exercise and fitness is a priority for me (I go to the gym when I've had 3 hours broken sleep because my 7 month has been up most of the night. I went to the gym until 38 weeks pregnant, even throughout the first trimester nausea) but there are some days when I need some extra motivation.

I think of my nice clothes, and how good I'll feel after the workout.

Also, if the op is too cold to cook dinner some days, she's probably not eating enough, which isn't going to help energy levels, and then she'll be too tired for the gym. I find exercise gives me more energy.

Of course you're free to disagree, but I find that 'motivation' is a fair weather friend and tends to disappear when it's too hot / cold / rainy / humid. I mean there are only so many 72 degree / 30% RH days with just the right amount of cloud cover throughout the year. With luck there might even be a few of those that I wasn't too busy / tired / hung over.

Seriously - seeking external motivation might get you through a random day, but you can't count on it. Determination is what will see you through the long haul - that comes from inside - and it doesn't care what the weather's doing.

Yes, but it takes a while for it to become habit, and until then it's helpful to have something to motivate you. Once it's habit then you do get up and go.

I've always been strong willed and motivated and I'll work for what I want, whatever it happens to be (weight loss, my degree, my job etc) but I appreciate that not everyone is the same, and some people do need an extra bit of motivation. Nothing wrong with that. We can't all be the same.

This is why there are successful people in the world and unsuccessful. *shrug*

Oh please. I find it hard to motivate myself to do ironing...does that make me unsuccessful?!

But yet you do it anyway?

right- and you just DO it.

Not because you're movitvated- but because it needs doing.

There is no answer other than - get off your lazy *kitten* and go do the thing that needs doing.

No amount of "motivation" will sustain you long enough to make it a habit.

Motivation is fleeting and it's one of the top reasons I'm utterly convinced as to why people are failures at this.

They think they are unmotivated- they think they failed- because they weren't MOTIVATED enough.

The reality is they need to get over that and understand it is not emotional- it's not motivation that drives and creates success- it's blatant sheer force of will to commit to doing the thing.

once people realize that- they'll realize they aren't failures for not trying hard enough to be motivated. They'll realize they just need to do it- and when they start doing it and keep doing it despite their feelings- they'll be successful- and then they are successful they will drive their own internal engine to do more.

There is nothing easier than the instruction of just going to do it.

It's a single thing to do- so JUST DO IT.

People saying "its not that easy"... yes- yes it is.

cwolfman13

DawnieB1977 wrote: »

randomtai wrote: »

DawnieB1977 wrote: »

bennettinfinity wrote: »

DawnieB1977 wrote: »

bennettinfinity wrote: »

HealthyVitamins wrote: »

You don't want it enough otherwise you would 'just do it'

^^This... once fitness becomes a priority, you'll no longer need to find 'motivation' to exercise and weather will no longer be an excuse not to.

I disagree. She asked for help to find motivation, and I don't think saying 'just do it' is helpful.

I'm committed to exercise and fitness is a priority for me (I go to the gym when I've had 3 hours broken sleep because my 7 month has been up most of the night. I went to the gym until 38 weeks pregnant, even throughout the first trimester nausea) but there are some days when I need some extra motivation.

I think of my nice clothes, and how good I'll feel after the workout.

Also, if the op is too cold to cook dinner some days, she's probably not eating enough, which isn't going to help energy levels, and then she'll be too tired for the gym. I find exercise gives me more energy.

Of course you're free to disagree, but I find that 'motivation' is a fair weather friend and tends to disappear when it's too hot / cold / rainy / humid. I mean there are only so many 72 degree / 30% RH days with just the right amount of cloud cover throughout the year. With luck there might even be a few of those that I wasn't too busy / tired / hung over.

Seriously - seeking external motivation might get you through a random day, but you can't count on it. Determination is what will see you through the long haul - that comes from inside - and it doesn't care what the weather's doing.

Yes, but it takes a while for it to become habit, and until then it's helpful to have something to motivate you. Once it's habit then you do get up and go.

I've always been strong willed and motivated and I'll work for what I want, whatever it happens to be (weight loss, my degree, my job etc) but I appreciate that not everyone is the same, and some people do need an extra bit of motivation. Nothing wrong with that. We can't all be the same.

This is why there are successful people in the world and unsuccessful. *shrug*

Oh please. I find it hard to motivate myself to do ironing...does that make me unsuccessful?!

But do you still do it? You seem to be missing the point...it's not about motivation...it really is about Just Do It. It's about being dedicated and following through with commitment. I do about a million things daily that need doing for which I am ill motivated to do...but failure to do them results in outcomes that I do not appreciate.

Motivation is and always will be a fleeting thing, even for people who really enjoy regular exercise. I have plenty of "meh" days when I'm just not feelng it and not motivated in the least...but I still Just Do It.

yoovie

My dad told me that there are people who tell others they plan on doing something and never do. And there are people who say they wont do it and then they do. And those who say they wont do it and dont. Then there are people who don't tell anyone they are going to do something, and then they do it, anyway.

Then there are people who talk all the time about doing it vs not doing it, instead of doing anything, because what they really only want to do is talk about it.

yopeeps025

So many feel like exercise is a chore. That sucks.