Getting to the gym after a long work day.

saramichelle89

Hey everyone! This is something I really really struggle with. I work M-F in an office from 8 to 4:30. It is so easy for me to get to the gym on the weekends. Sometimes I even get up at 8 AM to go and beat the crowd. I am having such a hard time getting there during the week however. I know I will not reach my goal if I don't go atleast 4 days a week. I guess I don't have the motivation after an 8 hour work day (though I don't do much but sit all day and go to meetings) and I don't like to be around people either. If there are people, I will totally avoid going or I will not do what I wanted to and do something else. Help please! How do you all manage to make it to the gym after a work day? How do you get the courage to do what you want in there even when there are people? (I feel like I don't have experience and get scared to use certain machines)

Thank you!!!

cwolfman13

you plan it into your day just like anything else. Barring some crazy stuff going on or illness or whatever, I lift on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday regardless of whether I "feel like it" or not. I'ts part of my schedule just like going to work or anything else. Stop thinking of it as some kind of "extra" thing...

I often don't feel like going to work or mowing the lawn or doing the dishes...yet I do these things anyway...because they need doing.

ladybg81

Maybe go before work? I go each day at 5am. It makes a big difference in my energy level vs if I miss days. The first week is tough but you get used to it.

agreenid

Most of the people at the gym are more concerned with what they're doing than with what you're doing. Ignore them and just get what you need done. Put in some earbuds and make a great playlist and go to town.

If you're uncomfortable using some of the machines I would recommend seeing if you can do a training session or two just to get used to the equipment. Or if you have a friend who is well versed, ask them to run you through it. Get comfortable with them on the weekends when you have the space more to yourself and then incorporate them into your weekly workout.

For getting to the gym I make a daily commitment to go. I try to go in the morning--but sometimes sleep really is more important. I like mornings because the gym is a whole lot emptier (we have a small workout center in our apartment building that gets really crowded sometimes). If I don't go in the morning I get home, put down my stuff and immediately put on my gym clothes. Most days I'll vacuum or put in a load of laundry before I go down but if I've got my clothes on, my mind has the fact that I'm going chugging along in the back of it. It was really hard for the first bit. But I'm 70 days into logging (and that's when I really started the fitness part too) and now it's just habit.

Do I want to be there all the time? No. And some days are less hard of a workout because I'm tired or really don't want to be there. But I still go because it builds that habit and is still getting my butt moving.

quiksylver296

cwolfman13 wrote: »

you plan it into your day just like anything else. Barring some crazy stuff going on or illness or whatever, I lift on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday regardless of whether I "feel like it" or not. I'ts part of my schedule just like going to work or anything else. Stop thinking of it as some kind of "extra" thing...

I often don't feel like going to work or mowing the lawn or doing the dishes...yet I do these things anyway...because they need doing.

Yep. This. Except Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I get home from work, DON'T sit down, change into gym clothes and head to the gym. If I sit down...it's game over. A lot of times I just tell myself to do 10 minutes and if I still want to leave, then I can leave. But by the time I get to the gym and start working, I feel better and never leave after just 10 minutes.

urloved33

Go in the a.m. before work. you will never regret it

Hornsby

It's not motivation, it's obligation. Suck it up and put in work.

saramichelle89

Thanks everyone for the advice. I really appreciate it. Update: I went to the gym last night and at 5 AM today & you're right, I don't regret it! ;-) I am going to make a commitment to get there much more than I have been. Such a slacker I am.

azulvioleta6

It's not courage, it's habit.

Pack a well-stocked gym bag and just automatically go there after work. Do not go home, do not run errands, do not take a nap. Make exercise a priority and it will happen.

mssmssy

I love going to classes and making friends. They keep me motivated. Harder to do if you don't like people.

Fitnessflexibility

I sometimes take my gym clothes to work with me on days I'm tired in the morning, like today, so I go straight to the gym after work. Then it's done and I can go home and stay home.
But it is part of my day. Days I don't feel like going I have to remind myself I'm paying for the membership so if I do t go I'm throwing away money, so when I'm not physically motivated that sure helps haha

tulips_and_tea

dance4life5678mfp wrote: »

I sometimes take my gym clothes to work with me on days I'm tired in the morning, like today, so I go straight to the gym after work. Then it's done and I can go home and stay home.
But it is part of my day. Days I don't feel like going I have to remind myself I'm paying for the membership so if I do t go I'm throwing away money, so when I'm not physically motivated that sure helps haha

I do this every day and have for years. This way my gym time is included in and is as important as my work day. No excuses. Family emergency excepted, of course.

Also, one of the gyms I go to is 3 blocks from my office and my other one I drive past on my way home. Really silly to drive past it and not go. Making it super convenient is imperative.

Next step is once you are there you have to have a plan. Being shy or intimidated is tough, but also common. Make a plan of what you will do once you get there and just do it. That's what everyone else there is doing already.

whatatime2befit

I go at night after I get my 3 kids to bed. Sometimes I can squeeze it in during my lunch hour, but night is usually best for me. I work all day, and want to spend the evenings with my kids, so after their bedtime is my best time to go.

Ritzaburk

You have to be motivated to go, and make it part of your daily routine. If you want it bad enough, you will make it happen, without making up excuses! Where there is a will, there is a way!

I agree with trying to go in the AM, or taking your gym clothes with you to work, and go immediately when you get off. Also, try to make yourself a workout routine schedule, that way you can look forward to the next day. Try to not be too concerned about others looking at you... They have their own goal they are trying to reach, they are not concerned about what you are doing. Maybe taking a workout buddy will help! you can do it, don't give up girl! Once you get going, you won't be able to stop!

Unknown

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rachellosesitall85

Start a walk group for your 1 hour lunch break and eat and walk alone or with your coworkers. Or, get up at 6am and work out before work. I think working out early helps stress levels. A nice work out, shower, and time to kill before going in and the best part is you've already got it in so it helps make better lunch decisions and you can go home, eat dinner, relax and pass out without worrying about missing a work out.

johnnylakis

saramichelle89 wrote: »

How do you get the courage to do what you want in there even when there are people? (I feel like I don't have experience and get scared to use certain machines)

Thank you!!!

This picture says it all


http://weknowmemes.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/why-would-you-make-fun-of-a-fat-person-at-the-gym.jpg

JoRocka

I pack my bag- and I always have a gym bag ready to go- no excuses.

Don't get scared- no one really cares. Just go do what you gotta do.

sofaking6

This is the reason I started working out in the mornings. Maybe it's just because I'm too out of it to psych myself out lol, but I don't really care why as long as it works for me.

Ryancasey1

Hi,

I work 8-5 job behind a desk so I know exactly what it's like, but doing this job, every hour I stand up for 5 minutes, during my lunch break I go for a little walk, (even if walking round the office looking busy!)

When I get home it's usually the mad rush hour! So I tend to get ready soon as I get in, I have my dinner then go "force" myself to the gym!

If you really struggle during the evenings try the mornings! Let's just say it wakes you up!

crubio360

I have the same problem. I try to get to the gym before work because I am always so exhausted after my shift ends. I make my body get up and go before I have time to talk myself out of it and I wear my workout clothes to bed so I can just wake up and go.

arditarose

Just do it. I work with children under 5 years old. Sometimes my day is 11 hours door to door, including two hours of commute on the subway, and I still have to go afterward. I did it for as long as I could without a pre-work out, but admittedly, a little pre-workout has helped me on those super bad days. I also just cut out cardio completely which made it easier too.

myricariddick

Believe it or not once you get in a routine of going strait after work (bring a change of clothes with you to work) it will be automatic. It will give you more energy in each day. I know my body adjusted to this with a metabolism boost because after years and years when I have a slump I feel so sluggish when I don't go.

Find a physical activity that you LIKE to do if the people bother you.
I love dancing spinning jogging boxing etc... so I just find a way to do those activities during the week and just so happens they are also great forms of exercise.

MamaBirdBoss

I work out at home. I don't like crowds. I work for myself, so I set my own hours. When I went to the gym, I chose one open 24 hours and went late at night. Often, I was the only one there.

Now I work out at home.

Noelv1976

Pack a gym bag, have a great playlist and just do it. Honestly there's no special magic or trick. Just have to go out there and do it.

VanillaGorilla808

I work 12-16 hours in my Law Enforcement job, I find after the shift if I dont immediately change hurry and go I will 'cool down' and get exhausted, maybe pack your clothes and head straight to the gym after work.

livingleanlivingclean

You just go... I usually leave home at 6am, finish at 5 then gym after. I don't go home in between or I'd likely pass out on the couch or get distracted by other things

Excuses don't get you closer to your goals!

arditarose

livingleanlivingclean wrote: »

You just go... I usually leave home at 6am, finish at 5 then gym after. I don't go home in between or I'd likely pass out on the couch or get distracted by other things

Excuses don't get you closer to your goals!

Right. That's a big thing too. Pack your gym bag and don't go home. I'd never make it back out half the time if I went home first. And the train drops me off two blocks from home/4 blocks from the gym.

fishcat123

I second the idea of taking classes - I love yoga and zumba, and actually get excited about going to the classes. If you do the exercise machines, have you considered running outside? It eliminates the need to take another trip out and also I think is more satisfying than the elliptical or treadmill or whatnot. Also, maybe find a friend to meet up with to work out with?

I also agree with the idea of making going to the gym just part of your daily routine. Personally, I like to go as soon as I get out of work around 5, go running or to yoga or something, then start the rest of my evening - either reading/relaxing or spending time with friends or doing errands or whatever.

sarabrunning

I have to take my workout clothes to work and change before I leave. If I go home first the hour commute kills my motivation and it's all over. I stop and do a trail run on the way home. A 9-5 is great but can definitely drain you and make hitting the gym when it's not packed really hard. Good luck!

ashleighmxxx

I can totally sympathies with you when it comes to going to the gym when there are anlot of people around BUT needs must. I work on average 3-5 12 hour shifts per week & have to force myself to the gym after finishing a long 12 hours at 8pm at night. Generally it is quite when i go but on days off i like yourself tend to avoid going to the gym at busy times. At first when the gym is busy i always think to myself 'ahh people are watching me' & stuff but now i have the 'dont care' attitude. Everyone is there for the same reason either loosing weight, maintaining or gaining. Every time you really dont want to go just think of the end result how much fitter and healther you'll feel! I wish i had a mon-friday job i'd be at the gym every night but self motivation is key if your determined enough you'll do it! X