How does anyone get motivated to go to the gym?

missbutterfly92

I used to go to the gym a while ago when I was at college and didn't have a job. I lost 4 stone but I gained most of it back again after starting work, and becoming lazy and eating junk. I am now rethinking my life.. I am at university, I work as a housekeeper (not hardcore enough to lose weight) and I am thinking of rejoining the gym. But the thought of going to the gym after working fills me with dread! How does anyone get that get up and go after work? I am shattered after working, that's my issue!

ryanhorn

Until it becomes a habit, just always be thinking about what you're fighting for and why you're doing this.

Yurippe

Go before work. Problem solved.

esjones12

It's all about habit. You are used to being lazy so your body wants to continue being lazy. You just have to do it. I was determined to create new healthy habits so I just kept going. Now I have tons of friends that I get to see when I go (I always know someone who is there it seems) so the days I'm feeling blah about it, I go to be social. My body also goes crazy if I sit around for a few days without doing anything.

Tedebearduff

missbutterfly92 wrote: »

I used to go to the gym a while ago when I was at college and didn't have a job. I lost 4 stone but I gained most of it back again after starting work, and becoming lazy and eating junk. I am now rethinking my life.. I am at university, I work as a housekeeper (not hardcore enough to lose weight) and I am thinking of rejoining the gym. But the thought of going to the gym after working fills me with dread! How does anyone get that get up and go after work? I am shattered after working, that's my issue!

Go in the morning ... problem solved? Stop making excuses!!!

pscarolina

in the beginning it's nice to have a friend go with you - hold each other accountable & makes you feel bolder to try the big boy weights or something new

Yurippe

I've had that backfire. That only lasts as long as that friend is motivated to keep going.

Ready2Rock206

Don't go home first. Change your clothes on your way out of work and head right to the gym!

Eire228

It's so hard to motivate yourself... but you can do it! You just have to dig deep to find that motivation that you used to have. I'm the queen of bad excuses, so I understand. But excuses get you nowhere. If you're tired after work, maybe try eating an energy bar or something of that nature to give you a boost at the end of the day. And of course, make sure you're getting plenty of sleep!

missbutterfly92

Thanks everyone I am really bad with excuses, but it is time to stop it now! and Ready2Rock206 I like that idea of getting my gym bag ready so that I can go straight to the gym afterwards!

Sued0nim

Personal Trainer

missylectro

You don't have to go to the gym. You can workout at home!

deksgrl

It doesn't take motivation, it takes decision. And you make it work into your schedule. Get up earlier and go in the morning.

pscarolina

lol...true but hopefully by that time you have gotten into the habit of going & met some people & see some results.

when my daughter was a baby one of my (ex) husband's co-workers invited me to go to Jazzercise with her & her mom. We were new in town & I knew I needed exercise so I got him to commit to keeping our daughter a couple of times a week while I worked out. Needless to say the friends quit almost immediately & I was terribly out of shape & my husband suddenly had to work late & couldn't help me. But...people were nice there & let me bring my daughter. I potty trained her during class! Now she's 20 & I've an instructor for almost 13 years & I have friends I've known the entire time! One of my students now is the lady who sold me my very first ticket!

In the end we all go it alone. In the beginning it's nice to have company. It's kind of intimidating to walk through the doors the first day. Everyone seems to know everyone else & what they should be doing.

Kalikel

Just think of it as more work. You leave the job and then do the work at the gym. It'll probably be a big chore for a week or two, but soon enough it will just be habit. It'll be what you do.

I don't like the gym. I really don't. I don't even do cardio there very often. I go in, lift the weights, leave. I do NOT enjoy any of it. Do enjoy knowing I'm healthier because I do it. Sometimes I get a kick out of feeling stronger. At first I noticed little things, like the remote control feeling SO LIGHT and driving the car - holding my arms up wasn't an effort and the wheel just turned. Now, I notice other things are lighter. I feel stronger. That's good.

But the gym - I still don't like it. I try and try, but it hate it, lol.

My motivation is that I want to be as healthy as I can. I don't care about looking muscular. I don't even want to look muscular and that's the truth. It's so not a vanity thing. If it were vanity, I'd quit so fast.

prattiger65

It is cliché, but you have to want to be better, more than you want to sit on your behind. I go in the middle of the day, that works for me. Also, once you get in the groove, you will feel so much better and you wont be shattered after work!

sofaking6

I get up early before work and exercise in my living room

sun_fish

I agree with others that it takes creating a habit, however, if you dislike the gym so much why not find a different way to workout? I do a combination of walking and hiking outdoors, yoga classes at a yoga studio, and lifting weights at home. Figure out what you would enjoy, or the least objectionable exercise to do, then make a plan for when and treat it like an appointment or a job.

jgnatca

Until this year fitness as an end to itself did not inspire me in the least. It turns out that fitness goals are just like everything else I do in my life; I have to like it!

I like Zumba so I go.
I like entering walks and runs, so I run every other day to prepare.
My yoga class is so relaxing I won't skip it.

Perhaps a good sit-down with a piece of paper, writing down what you love do do and why will help you decide if you need a fitness membership or not.

The "too tired to exercise" cycle perpetuates itself. Once you get used to a certain level of exercise, you will miss it if you skip it.

I was wondering if you might vary your routine while housekeeping to make it more exercise-friendly. I'm thinking working to lively music, running, skipping, dancing.

malibu927

Honestly, even though I've had a gym membership and been doing this for a year, it wasn't until the past two months that I started going regularly (three days lifting, two days cardio). You just do it as a part of your day, like everything else. If you're not comfortable there and you live in a warmer climate, take a walk outside every day, or ride a bike.

IKnowStuff2

I don't think about the going, I think about how much better I feel afterward. So even if I am shot before I go I know I will feel better after I do it even for a little while. Something is always more than nothing.

NoelFigart1

I put it in my calendar and go. *shrugs* Mood is for cattle and making love...

randomtai

I just do it.

BrandoniEstrada

Once it becomes a habit then it becomes easy to keep on going to the gym. Getting started is the hard part for sure. It helps a lot if you have someone you know to go with you to keep you motivated so you don't skip out when you're tired.
Other than that, just realize that it's not always about looking better but to start living healthier. The feeling when you start to notice progress is amazing.
Also regarding the work situation. Go before work if possible. Just make sure you sleep early. If you really want it then you will prioritize and manage your time for the things you that matter to you the most!
Good luck!

Francl27

I make myself do it, it's that or being hungry or getting fat, so it's the least unpleasant option really.

busylady48

I get up at 4am and have my lunch and everything packed in my car and hit the gym by 5am. It gives me energy for the day and It goes by really fast. I use a personal trainer in a group setting which holds me accountable.

debubbie

Even thought there are some days that I don't want to go, I almost always feel better after I go. I usually talk myself into going and doing 20 minutes on the bike and some strength machines. Next thing I know, I have completed 40 minutes of cardio and twice as many strength exercises that I had planned!

MlleKelly

Pack a gym bag and take it to work with you, then head to the gym ASAP. Don't go home! Sometimes it's not about motivation, it's just about getting yourself into the habit. Or even just making that decision and sticking to it. Tell yourself, "We're going to the gym today" and don't let yourself back out of that decision. You'll feel better for it.

ALSO! Always go to the gym with a plan. Don't show up and wander aimlessly, because then it is kind of a waste of time and you won't feel like you've accomplished anything.

Texafornia23

Two words... Eye candy.

Kidding. I use others as examples and motivation. What are they doing that I'm not? Can I push harder? Do I want to quit this exercise after just one set with all these people around?

I work out in the evening as well due to my work schedule and I understand that it sometimes takes some psyching out... but I've rarely actually made the effort to work out where I regretted it later.

And also Eye Candy.

seltzermint555

I like the idea of exercising at home or outdoors instead, but that's because for me the idea of going to a gym fills me with dread from the social anxiety of it. I can work with the public and give speeches but the very idea of having to interact (in ANY small way) with new people while also exercising just blows my mind. No thanks.

brenn24179

I love the gym but I love group exercise like zumba