How to stay motivated to work out after a long day at work

Options
riskiestlavonn
riskiestlavonn Posts: 207 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi,

I was wondering how do people stay motivated enough/ have the energy to exercise after work. I get home around 7:30pm each day and by the time I make and eat dinner I have convinced myself that I can just work out tomorrow morning (which never happens). Anyone able to give me some tips? Do most people work out as soon as they get home and eat later?

Thank you in advance. :-)

Replies

  • ohpilot
    ohpilot Posts: 73 Member
    Options
    I remind myself that I always have more energy AFTER a workout so I'll be able to enjoy the rest of my night much more, as opposed to being a zombie on the couch. :)
  • nicehormones
    nicehormones Posts: 503 Member
    Options
    I prefer working out before work, but if I do it after, I take advantage of de-stressing from a long day at work. I guess it depends on how well you like your job and if you hold frustration in your body! And yes, also the energy for the rest of the night :)
  • Ladyeliah
    Ladyeliah Posts: 34 Member
    Options
    I eat right when I get home (after my commute I want to do nothing but eat) but then I try and exercise within a half hour of that before I have time to turn my mind onto the rest of what I want to get done that night. I also exercise for 15 minutes every morning. It's not much and usually yoga, but it puts me in the frame of mind that exercising is a part of my routine. That way, even if I fail to exercise after work, I still know that I did something that day.
  • dlrcpa
    dlrcpa Posts: 114 Member
    Options
    I like to do my exercise after work and before dinner. I come home and walk the dog and then hit the exercise bike 3 times a week (that is my goal anyway.) It's convenient to have everything at home. Can you go to work earlier and get home earlier? Can you eat your main meal at lunch so that dinner can be more like a snack?
  • 3laine75
    3laine75 Posts: 3,070 Member
    Options
    i just want to relax after work. have you tried a morning workout, i know its a cliche but it really sets me up for the day.
  • saxnviolin
    saxnviolin Posts: 159 Member
    Options
    I found out that if I go home after work, I rarely leave. Therefore, I try to bring my workout clothes with me and I walk at lunch time at work and I go straight to the gym after work- with my kids. If I have to go home, I leave my clothes in the kitchen and dart out within 30 minutes- I don't sit down at all. :wink:
  • maryellen8301
    maryellen8301 Posts: 100 Member
    Options
    i felt the same way for awhile.. now when my kids are playing i just do a few small things... also i started walking (brisk pace) on my lunch break at work.. i use my heart monitor to calculate my calorie burn.. even if its only for 10 minutes.. i dont feel so bad at night when i really dont want to work out
  • nebulinda
    nebulinda Posts: 120 Member
    Options
    I was facing that same problem today. I don't want to work out in the morning, because I already wake up at 5:00 am for work, and I don't want to get up any earlier. So when I'm having motivation problems I just think about how much better I'll look and feel after my workout, and what a "responsible adult" it makes me. Also, my workouts are the only times I get to listen to my favorite podcast.
  • riskiestlavonn
    riskiestlavonn Posts: 207 Member
    Options
    i just want to relax after work. have you tried a morning workout, i know its a cliche but it really sets me up for the day.

    Most mornings I set my alarm to go off at 5:30am so that I can try and get a workout in... but I can NEVER get up. I am kind of afraid that my lack of energy is from me eating so little (I eat 1200 - 1500 calories a day depending on my workout). I would love to be able to work out in the morning though. Then I wouldn't stress about it while I was at work.
  • sockablooie
    sockablooie Posts: 40
    Options
    I know for myself that small steps worked - I think it's easy to try to go from 0 to 60 in five seconds, and really new habits take a while to form and get accustomed to. Something that has worked for me in the past (though I now work out after work) is to start with just ten minutes. I know it doesn't sound like much, but it's more than zero. Set your alarm only 15 minutes earlier, get ready in 5, and do something for ten. Do that for 5-7 days, then up it by another 5-10 minutes.

    I'm a big believer in small steps...before you know it you will be getting up an hour early and rocking the workout!
  • riskiestlavonn
    riskiestlavonn Posts: 207 Member
    Options
    I know for myself that small steps worked - I think it's easy to try to go from 0 to 60 in five seconds, and really new habits take a while to form and get accustomed to. Something that has worked for me in the past (though I now work out after work) is to start with just ten minutes. I know it doesn't sound like much, but it's more than zero. Set your alarm only 15 minutes earlier, get ready in 5, and do something for ten. Do that for 5-7 days, then up it by another 5-10 minutes.

    I'm a big believer in small steps...before you know it you will be getting up an hour early and rocking the workout!

    This is a WONDERFUL idea! I am also afraid that I will start out strong with good intentions and burn out in a week. Thank you so much for this suggestion.
  • sockablooie
    sockablooie Posts: 40
    Options
    :) You can DO IT!!! One of my mantras I repeat to myself daily is "Small Steps to Success"....Any time I get down on myself because I "only" worked out for 20 minutes, or I "only" worked out three days of the week, I remind myself of my mantra, and the fact that ANYTHING is better than NOTHING.

    My work out habit has taken 7 months to create. That isn't meant to be discouraging - it's just the opposite for me. This is the best I have done with sticking to a lifestyle change, and I FIRMLY believe it is because I didn't beat myself up early-on for going slow. I focused on small steps. With eating, the only thing I did for two weeks was stop after dinner snacking - and it was HARD! But I have never done it again. And I believe that's because I gave myself two weeks to only focus on that one "bad" habit (I use quotations because it wouldn't be a bad habit for everyone, just me). After that, I focused on one small goal to get me toward a complete healthy diet. And I am still setting goals!!! Obviously I have a ways to go, but now I know I can do it!

    That is another benefit of small steps - when you prove to yourself you can accomplish a goal, no matter how small, your sub-conscience takes note - and starts thinking, "Well, maybe I actually can do something." And the process starts building self confidence.

    With working out, I did just what I told you. Used to be if I couldn't give it an hour and make it "worth it" then I was convinced there was no point. That is ridiculous, self-defeating thinking.

    Anyway, I will jump of my soapbox now :)

    PLEASE remember - you can DO THIS!!!!!! You are worth it!

Categories