Evening Workout Motivation

Kendra0024

How do you keep yourself motivated to exercise in the evening? I have a little one, so exercise can't really happen until he goes to bed (8:30 p.m.) and by that time I'm beat and ready for bed myself. I have a workout buddy to keep me motivated 3 evenings a week, but what about the others? Any suggestions? Working out before he wakes up isn't really an option, as he generally gets up between 5:00 -6:00 a.m.

wolfchild59

I know how many calories I'll be burning during my workout so I pre-log my calories (usually dropping it a touch low, just in case my intensity isn't 100%) and then I eat them by the time I'm done with dinner/dessert.

That way, even if I'm sitting there and don't want to get up and do my workout, I still go because I've already eaten the workout calories and if I don't workout, I'll be over that day.

In combination with that I have an accountability calendar posted on the wall by my front door. It has my full training schedule laid out on it with exactly what workout is planned for each evening. When I finish the workout, I put a check mark on the day. If I don't do the workout, it gets a black line straight through it. I hate the black lines and I know that anyone that see the calendar would see the black lines and the skipped workouts, so it helps get me moving so I can have a full month of check marks. (FYI - my rest days are scheduled and also get check marks. heh)

Restybaby2012

Kendra....

I think once you force yourself into some kind of work out each evening you'll find it will invigorate you. It will pump you up and make you feel good. It'll make it easier each night to do more. Start slow so you dont get real sore. Keep each session about 10 minutes for the first couple weeks then slowly build by 5 minute increments. You can do this...you can make it fit, even if you're tired. It'll make the journey easier.

Stand Strong

mgobluetx12

Try to keep reminding yourself all day that you'll be working out and don't look at it as optional. It's so important to weight loss that I actually even start to look forward to mine, even though I know it will be tough. Remember how good you feel afterwards and be proud of yourself every day that you push yourself to do it.

WickedPixie1

I usually work out during the day, but if I do end up having to fit an evening or two in, I just keep it really simple and hit the treadmill at about 3-3.5...depends how I feel once I get going and stay on there for about an hour...I've got my tunes going, so it isn't too bad...I realise loud is not good with a sleeping child, but if you have an mp3 player, it really does make it go by fast.

Kendra0024

Thank you all for the great suggestions!!

shaleasymphony

even troughout the day when your at home, while youre watching t.v, jog in between commercial breaks. its only 3 mins at a time (about 5 during movie commercial breaks) and do this through 10 commercial breaks, you would have had 30 mins of cardio, burned a few hundred cals, and it didn't even feel like work

i have a 3 yr old at home and she even sometimes jogs with me during the breaks. so cute

ipsamet

Keep yourself accountable to other people - my friends on here have been AMAZING in that regard! I tell them that I'm going to work out, and then I don't want to disappoint them, so I do! Find a buddy or start posting to your friends list on here in the morning what time you are going to work out and what you are going to do. Pretty soon it will become a habit and you won't need to do it anymore. Good luck!

jmeyer925

Evenings work outs are hard, mainly because people use most of their energy through the day.

I've been trying to do double work outs, and the evening one always seems to be the most difficult to get motivation for.

I've recently discovered Clif Bars (I know Wal-Mart sells them) http://www.clifbar.com/ They give me a little boost of energy, and are a little over 200 hundred calories of good stuff (helps with late night cravings too). They recommend having one 1-3 hours before a work out. So you can eat one, put the little one to bed, then work out.

And remember, working out a few hours before you go to bed will help you sleep better